The Lincoln Funeral Train, Philadelphia 1865

Charles L. Philippi made this photograph of "The Lincoln Funeral Train, Philadelphia." In Philippi's photograph, the locomotive becomes a static monument. The texture of the gelatin silver print lends a tactile quality, emphasizing the solidity of the train against the transient expressions on the faces of onlookers. The composition is divided into three sections: the foreground, where the train is placed; the middle-ground with the train’s passengers and observers; and the background that shows the train station and the city’s buildings. The sepia tones of the photograph enhance the historical context, evoking a sense of faded memory and the passage of time. The subdued palette and the stillness of the subjects give a formal, almost reverential quality, which is further complicated by the dynamic potential of the train, juxtaposing stillness with mobility. The photograph functions as a cultural artifact, reflecting collective mourning and the transformation of historical events into iconic symbols.