[Grand Army Review, Washington, D.C.] 1865

Alexander Gardner made this albumen print, depicting the Grand Army Review in Washington D.C., using photography, a relatively new medium in the 19th century that blended science and art. Albumen printing, popular then, involved coating paper with egg white and silver nitrate, making it sensitive to light. The negative was then pressed against this treated paper and exposed to sunlight, allowing the image to slowly materialize. The materiality of this print bears witness to a transformative era in image-making and mass communication. Unlike painting or sculpture, which required extensive handcrafting, photography offered a seemingly objective snapshot of reality through a combination of chemical processes and mechanical precision. This directness lent a powerful sense of realism. Photographs like Gardner's were not only artistic endeavors, but also historical documents that captured moments in time. Understanding these photographic processes enhances our appreciation for the social and cultural context of the artwork. It challenges traditional art distinctions, while at the same time placing them at the heart of visual culture.