Robert Gould Shaw Memorial c. 1973 - 2008

Richard Benson made this photograph of the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, rendering the bronze relief in shades of grey. Imagine him in the darkroom, coaxing the image to life. The figures emerge, row upon row of Union soldiers marching with purpose, bayonets raised, a horse strides. Look at the way Benson captures the weight of their steps, the texture of their uniforms, the planes of their faces. There's a palpable sense of movement, as if we're right there, marching alongside them. It reminds me of the work of other artists who have grappled with history, memory, and representation. Like Arshile Gorky’s ghostly figures or Gerhard Richter’s blurred photographs. Benson isn’t just documenting a sculpture; he's engaging in a dialogue with the past, inviting us to reflect on themes of courage, sacrifice, and the complexities of the American experience.