Captain Burnsby of the Grenadier Guards 1855

Roger Fenton captured this intriguing image of Captain Burnsby with a camera during a time of conflict. Here, the central figure is flanked by figures on either side. Note the figure of Burnsby in the middle. He stands at the center, with the support of a walking stick. The stick or staff is an ancient symbol of authority, of guidance, think of Moses, or ancient rulers holding a scepter. It signifies not just physical support but also moral and leadership qualities. The association of a leader carrying a staff hearkens back to classical antiquity, echoing the Roman imperators, and before that the Greek kings holding a scepter. But notice how the staff he holds does not denote power as it did centuries ago, instead it denotes the weakness brought on by war. In this cyclical progression, the image has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.