Col. Robert Gould Shaw (1837-1863) 1895

Curator: This is Horace Burdick's "Col. Robert Gould Shaw," a somber portrait rendered in stark monochrome. Editor: The gray scale lends a sense of severity, doesn't it? The composition is rigid, almost militaristic, mirroring the subject's demeanor. Curator: Indeed. Shaw, a white officer who commanded the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, one of the first African-American units in the Civil War, is presented here with a careful attention to detail in his uniform and bearing. It speaks to ideas of duty. Editor: And to the complexities of representation and power dynamics. While it honors Shaw's role, it also risks centering a white narrative within a story of Black soldiers' courage and sacrifice. Whose gaze is privileged here? Curator: These formal portraits often served as a kind of memorial or testament. The play of light across his face is quite striking, drawing our eye. Editor: Perhaps a way to reclaim visibility—to confront the racial politics embedded in this historical moment? Curator: An important point. The composition leaves room for many interpretations. Editor: Absolutely. It's a conversation starter, even now.