Robert Gould Shaw Memorial c. 1973 - 2008

This is a photograph by Richard Benson of the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, a monument commemorating Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. The monument was designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and features a powerful depiction of Shaw leading his regiment into battle. The photograph captures the detail of the monument’s bas-relief sculpture, which depicts a woman, perhaps representing peace, descending upon the soldiers, symbolizing the sacrifice of war. Benson's photograph showcases the monument's grandeur and complexity. It is a reminder of the historical importance of the 54th Regiment and their contribution to the Union victory in the Civil War.