Private Jacob F. Simmons, Company H, Eighty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers 1865

Reed Brockway Bontecou captured this albumen silver print of Private Jacob F. Simmons, likely in the 1860s. Enclosed by a double oval frame, the subject's profile is stark against a light background. The photograph’s composition emphasizes line and form through the curve of the frame, and the subject’s silhouette. Bontecou's work is not just a record; it's an exploration into the raw and unfiltered aspects of humanity. The gaze is directed toward an unflinching representation of reality, almost clinically observed, altering traditional portraiture. Note the two wounds visible on Simmons' shoulder and neck, rendered with unsettling clarity. The image challenges conventional notions of heroism and valor, inviting viewers to contemplate the psychological and physical toll of conflict, thus questioning the grand narratives of war. This challenges the viewer to reconsider established values and meanings, creating space for ongoing interpretation.