Judson C. Albright 1865

This albumen print shows the infected leg of Judson C. Albright and was made by Reed Brockway Bontecou, a surgeon during the American Civil War. Considered a pioneer in the use of photography for medical documentation, Bontecou’s work provides a chillingly direct view of the war’s physical toll. As a surgeon, Bontecou was keenly aware of the role that visual evidence could play in advancing medical knowledge and treatment. This image serves not only as a record of Albright’s injury but also as a stark commentary on the brutal realities of the conflict. The clinical precision with which the wound is displayed contrasts sharply with the implied suffering, challenging viewers to confront the human cost of war. To fully understand this image, researchers might consult medical archives, military records, and period photography collections. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.