Admiral David G. Farragut (1801-1870) 1864 - 1866

This is Jeremiah Gurney’s portrait of Admiral David G. Farragut, a photograph dating back to the American Civil War era. Gurney, a prominent photographer in New York, captured Farragut in his naval uniform, adorned with its many buttons and stripes signifying rank. The photograph serves as a formal representation of power and authority. Farragut, a Southerner who remained loyal to the Union, became a symbol of national unity during a deeply divisive period. His capture of New Orleans was a turning point in the war. Yet, consider the untold stories behind this image. What about the enslaved people whose labor sustained the Confederacy that Farragut fought against? How did their experiences shape the conflict and its aftermath? The weight of these questions lingers, challenging us to confront the complexities of American history and the human cost of war. This image, while of one man, is a window into the narratives of identity, loyalty, and the painful legacy of slavery.