Untitled 1855

Roger Fenton captured this photograph with a camera in the mid-19th century, showing a military encampment, possibly during the Crimean War. Tents and a line of horse-drawn wagons dominate the scene, symbols of transient existence and the logistics of conflict. Consider the tent, a motif echoing through time. From nomadic tribes to modern refugee camps, the tent represents shelter and community in times of displacement. Its peaked shape, reminiscent of ancient pyramids or even a soldier's hat, resonates with themes of protection, hierarchy, and mortality. The wagons and horses evoke images of classical war chariots. Across millennia, these symbols recur, transforming from instruments of glory to tools of grim necessity. It's a striking reminder of war’s cyclical nature, where progress often leads us back to primal struggles, engaging the viewer on a subconscious level.