Untitled (head of a barbarian captive in the collection of the British Museum) c. 1853 - 1859

Curator: Here we have an untitled work by Roger Fenton depicting a head of a barbarian captive from the British Museum. Editor: What strikes me immediately is the tonal range; the way the light sculpts the face. The sepia tones create such a melancholic mood. Curator: Indeed. Consider Fenton's historical context; his images often engaged with power dynamics, and this piece is no exception. The "barbarian captive" is a loaded symbol. Editor: I agree, and the choice of classical sculpture as subject matter suggests the artist is interested in the way the medium itself conveys ideas of strength and authority. Curator: Precisely. By photographing this bust, Fenton invites us to reflect on how Western cultures have historically represented, and thus, controlled, narratives of otherness. The captive is rendered powerless again. Editor: Though muted, it’s hard to look away from the eyes. Fenton really captured something essential here. Curator: It’s in the play of power and representation that the photograph gains meaning. Editor: I suppose for me it is the interplay between light and shadow, revealing the intricate details of the sculpture, that is most impressive.