Studying the Art of War 1863

Editor: This is Alexander Gardner's "Studying the Art of War," taken in 1863. It’s a gelatin-silver print currently held at the Art Institute of Chicago. The photo portrays a group of Union officers, seemingly relaxed under a tree, yet with all their military gear present. It feels like a candid moment captured during the Civil War. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: What immediately strikes me is how staged it likely is, despite that air of candidness. Consider the context: Photography was still relatively new, requiring long exposure times. Gardner, like other Civil War photographers, walked a tightrope. He was documenting a brutal conflict, but also crafting images for public consumption, intended to shape opinion and perhaps even bolster support for the Union cause. Do you think this image shows the reality of war, or a more carefully constructed narrative? Editor: That’s a great point! I hadn’t considered the level of staging. Perhaps the “Studying the Art of War” title adds a layer of intellectual respectability to the ongoing violence. It almost feels propagandistic now. Curator: Exactly! Notice how the composition emphasizes order and control. These aren't disheveled soldiers ravaged by battle; they're posed, engaged in intellectual pursuits. The photograph functions as a carefully curated performance, reinforcing the image of a disciplined, thoughtful Union army. The location, possibly near a battlefield, provides a dramatic contrast that heightens the photo’s impact. Where do you think this picture may have been published, and to what end? Editor: Maybe Harper’s Weekly or some other illustrated newspaper? The image projects a sense of calm competence that would resonate with a Northern audience. I never thought about 19th century photography this way. Curator: Indeed. The image also speaks to broader anxieties of the period, especially around issues of leadership and strategy in a protracted war. So, understanding these photographs necessitates examining their roles within social and political landscapes. Editor: This makes me view photography and its subjects in a totally different way.