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“No tongue can tell, no mind conceive, no pen portray the horrible sights I witnessed."

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                                                                  Union Captain John Taggart

The images recorded of Civil War battlefields were the first such pictures ever seen – and their effect was heartbreaking. Stripped away were all visions of chivalry, honor and glory. All that remained was dirty, horrible death. But what of portrait photography – the photos the men posed for before and after the battle? How did this new form of media represent the men, their feelings, and their lives?

The first collectors of Civil War photos were those who lived during the four-year struggle. As the years ticked by and they passed from the scene, their likeness were handed down through the generations. Some remained with families. Others landed in antique shops. Many were lost to the elements or tossed into trash heaps. During the war's centennial, a new generation rediscovered these intimate artifacts. Today, a vibrant community of collectors are caretakers of these portraits. As an expert in Civil War era photography, Ron will ask - and also attempt to answer - some key questions:

 

Why do these images exist?

What were the popular formats?

Why did they pose this way?

How did the war impact portrait photography in both the North and South?

 

Join us for the discussion…

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