Frances Clayton c. 1865

Samuel Masury captured this image of Frances Clayton using photographic methods common to the period. Notice the subdued palette, dominated by shades of grey and brown, setting a tone of solemnity and seriousness. The subject’s pose, leaning slightly on the chair, along with the formal attire, suggests a deliberate construction of identity. The photograph's composition reveals a fascinating interplay between representation and reality. Frances Clayton, who famously cross-dressed to serve as a Union soldier during the Civil War, presents a figure that challenges conventional gender norms. The strict formality of the portrait, typical of the era, creates a tension with the subject's unconventional life. The choice of attire—a woman's dress, yet with masculine-coded accessories like the bow tie—destabilizes established categories. Masury's photograph thus becomes a powerful statement on identity, performance, and the challenging of societal expectations. It invites us to consider how photography itself can be a tool for constructing and questioning social norms.