Civil War Collage c. 1860 - 1870

This intriguing Civil War Collage was crafted by an unknown artist using cut and pasted photographs on paper. The composition is immediately striking; a cascade of faces, arranged in a semi-circular formation, evokes a profound sense of collective identity. Each portrait, meticulously clipped into ovals and rectangles, contributes to the overall structure. The formal arrangement of the images hints at a hierarchy, perhaps reflecting social standing, military rank, or even familial relationships. The sepia tones create a somber, historical atmosphere, which speaks to the gravity of the Civil War era. The collage destabilizes conventional portraiture, transforming individual likenesses into a collective statement. By eschewing a traditional, unified composition, the artist challenges the notion of a singular narrative, instead presenting a multifaceted view of a society grappling with conflict. The act of cutting and pasting itself underscores the fractured nature of the nation during this period. This work prompts us to reflect on how identity, community, and history are constructed through visual means.