General Simpson 1855

Roger Fenton made this photograph of General Simpson using the wet collodion process, a relatively new technology in the 19th century. This photographic process was embraced by institutions such as the British military, who saw its potential for documentation and propaganda. Consider the image's composition, Simpson is posed formally, projecting an air of authority and confidence. It’s worth remembering that this image was created in Britain, a nation that was heavily invested in its image as a global power during this time. The location of the photograph further emphasizes the General’s authority. To understand this photograph better, one might delve into military archives, study the history of photography, and explore the social attitudes toward war and leadership in Victorian Britain. By doing so, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, power, and society.