Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, Taken on the Field, Crimea 1855

Roger Fenton took this albumen silver print of Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar sometime in the 1850s. Fenton was sent to Crimea as one of the first war photographers, aiming to document the conflict between Russia and an alliance including Britain and France. The photograph presents a seemingly informal portrait of Prince Edward, seated in what appears to be a war-torn landscape. Yet, consider the context. Photography was new, and its role in shaping public opinion was quickly grasped. Fenton’s images, sponsored by the British government, were intended to convey the nobility and composure of the British military. The very act of photographing the Prince served to enhance the perceived legitimacy and authority of the British presence in Crimea. Understanding this image requires us to consider photographic technology as a means of social control and propaganda. Examining Fenton's other Crimean War photographs alongside British newspapers, political pamphlets, and military records of the time help give us a clearer picture. The meaning of art depends on its historical context.