Interior of the (Russian) Barrack Battery, Showing Mantelets 1855

James Robertson's 1855 photograph "Interior of the (Russian) Barrack Battery, Showing Mantelets" captures a moment from the Crimean War. The image depicts a fortified Russian battery with two cannons positioned behind a makeshift wall of woven branches and stone. The photo, held by the Art Institute of Chicago, is a rare glimpse into the physical realities of warfare and the ingenuity of soldiers in crafting their defenses. Robertson's work provides insight into the Crimean War's tactics and the stark conditions experienced by those involved.