Balaklava from Guard's Hill 1855

Roger Fenton made this albumen print, Balaklava from Guard’s Hill, during his time as a war photographer in the Crimea. It's an image full of social and institutional implications. The calm surface of the bay, dominated by British naval power, belies the catastrophic mismanagement and suffering endured by the troops. Fenton’s presence was itself orchestrated by institutions. He was sent by a commercial print publisher, but with the explicit backing of the British government, keen to manage public opinion back home. His photographs were intended to show the efficiency and virtue of the British military. Yet, the stark contrast between the tents in the foreground and the distant ships hints at the divide between the officers and ordinary soldiers. It suggests a social commentary, however subtle, on the realities of war. Understanding this image requires delving into the archives of war correspondence, parliamentary reports, and the early history of photojournalism. Art, in this case, becomes a critical document of social history.