Old Capitol Prison, Washington 1861 - 1865

This albumen print of the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C. was made by William R. Pywell in the mid-19th century. The albumen process involves coating paper with egg white and then silver nitrate, making it sensitive to light. This long and laborious process was typical of early photography. The final image has a distinctive sepia tone and a soft, slightly blurred quality. Considering that photography at this time was not a simple process, it is worth pondering the intention behind the act. Pywell's work was done in the context of the American Civil War, and the Old Capitol Prison held Confederate soldiers, spies, and political prisoners. The work that went into capturing this image is an artifact of labor, politics, and consumption: a document, but also a record of the artist's decision to witness and frame this loaded subject matter. It reminds us that the value and meaning of an artwork extends far beyond its aesthetic qualities.