Field Where General Reynolds Fell, Gettysburg 1863

Timothy O’Sullivan made this albumen silver print photograph, titled "Field Where General Reynolds Fell, Gettysburg," sometime around 1863, using a process that was relatively new at the time. The albumen print process involved coating paper with egg white and silver nitrate, making it sensitive to light. A glass negative was then placed on the paper and exposed to sunlight, creating a detailed image. The final print has a distinctive glossy surface and warm tone that you can see here. The photograph's stark realism is achieved not only through the technical process but also through O'Sullivan's unflinching depiction of the battlefield. This image captures the brutal aftermath of war, forcing viewers to confront its human cost. The labor of soldiers reduced to inert bodies on the field. The photograph, in its materiality, serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict, blurring the lines between documentation, art, and social commentary.