Army and Navy U.S. (composite of 100 photos) c. mid to late 19th century

Curator: Here we have “Army and Navy U.S. (composite of 100 photos),” a fascinating composite photograph by C. D. Fredricks and Co. Editor: Wow, it's a sea of serious faces! Gives me the feeling of being watched, almost like a historical jury. Curator: Indeed. The process involves meticulously arranging individual portraits, likely albumen prints, to create this collective representation. The commodification of heroism during and after the Civil War is evident. Editor: It is eerie how the individual merges into a collective identity. Makes you think about the human cost and the industrialization of war, all captured in this tiny rectangle. Curator: The material reality of this photograph speaks volumes about the era's technological advancements and its socio-political landscape. Editor: It's a powerful little monument, isn’t it? The past staring right back at us.