Robert Gould Shaw Memorial c. 1973 - 2008

Richard Benson created this gelatin silver print of the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial. This monument, originally constructed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, commemorates Colonel Shaw, who commanded the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first African American units in the Civil War. Benson’s photograph zeroes in on the faces of the soldiers, inviting us to consider their individual experiences and sacrifices. The photograph captures the determination and solemnity etched on their faces, emphasizing the complexities of identity, duty, and belonging during a time of profound social upheaval. Saint-Gaudens himself said that the memorial was to represent, ‘...the image of a white officer leading black troops into battle.’ Benson’s close-up allows us to meditate on how the memorial captures a pivotal moment in American history. A moment where the intersection of race, class, and military service shaped the narrative of the Civil War and its aftermath. This work urges us to reflect on the legacy of those who fought for freedom and equality, as well as the ongoing struggle for racial justice.