Robert Gould Shaw Memorial c. 1973 - 2008

This black and white photograph by Richard Benson, taken between 1973 and 2008, depicts a close-up detail of the "Robert Gould Shaw Memorial" sculpture. The sculpture, which was created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, commemorates the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, a unit of African-American soldiers who fought in the American Civil War. Benson's photograph captures the powerful expressions and stoic figures of the soldiers, highlighting the grim reality of war. The image emphasizes the detail of the sculpture's texture and the realism of the soldiers' uniforms and equipment. The image is a moving tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of African-American soldiers in the Civil War.