Soldier Reading; verso: Encampment and Seated Soldiers 1861

Curator: Sanford Robinson Gifford created this unassuming graphite sketch, "Soldier Reading; verso: Encampment and Seated Soldiers," around 1861. It's a study, really, a small window into a soldier's quiet moment. Editor: It feels…melancholy. A soldier, head bowed, absorbed in a book, maybe trying to escape the realities around him. I wonder, what does literacy and access to books represent in a time of war? Curator: The act of reading itself is significant here. It's a connection to civilian life, to knowledge, perhaps even to a sense of hope or normalcy amidst conflict. The book, a very potent symbol, is a portal. Editor: Absolutely. And given the context of the Civil War, we have to consider class and access to education. Who had the privilege to read, and what did that signify within the ranks? Curator: It's also worth noting that Gifford served in the Union Army himself. This drawing could be a reflection on his own experiences, the search for solace in words. Editor: I agree, placing it within Gifford’s personal narrative adds an important layer. Art becomes a form of witness, a dialogue with the self. Curator: A potent reminder that even within war, there is humanity, longing, and the quiet power of the written word. Editor: Ultimately, it prompts us to consider the complexities of identity, intellect, and the search for meaning during times of crisis.