Incidents of the War: Guides to the Army of the Potomac
Medium
Photography-Photoprint
Classification
Photography-Photoprint
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Julia D. Strong Endowment
Accession Number
2007.4.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
Alexander Gardner's *Incidents of the War: Guides to the Army of Potomac* (1862) captures a pivotal moment in the Civil War, showcasing the vital role of guides—likely scouts or local experts—who navigated the Union Army of the Potomac through treacherous terrain. Produced as a photoprint, this image is part of Gardner's groundbreaking series documenting the conflict's gritty realities, from camp life to battlefield aftermath. As a key figure in 19th-century photography, Gardner, who had worked with Mathew Brady, broke away to pursue independent work, emphasizing unposed authenticity over stag...
About the Artist
Alexander Gardner
Alexander Gardner was born on 17 October 1821 in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, and came of age in a culture shaped by radical social thought. Influenced by the cooperative ideals of Robert Owen, Gardner initially apprenticed as a jeweler and harbored dreams of founding a utopian community in America. His encounter with photography changed the course of his life. After seeing Mathew Brady's cele...