Lieutenant General Sir George Brown, G.C.B. 1855

Roger Fenton’s 1855 photograph, "Lieutenant General Sir George Brown, G.C.B.," is a striking portrait of the British military leader during the Crimean War. This salt print, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, captures Sir Brown in profile, seated and facing to the left, with his military uniform prominently displayed. The image, rendered in a classic style of portraiture, highlights both the subject’s authority and the power of early photography to capture the realism of individuals. The image provides a glimpse into the lives of influential figures during a time of conflict and change. Fenton's work was groundbreaking in its time, capturing the details of the war, its casualties and the men who led it.