Untitled (Zouaves) 1857

Gustave Le Gray created this albumen print, entitled "Zouaves," sometime in the 19th century. The image depicts a company of French colonial soldiers in Algeria, identifiable by their distinctive North African-inspired uniforms. Le Gray was commissioned to document the French military during a period of colonial expansion. Through the visual codes of military portraiture, the image emphasizes the power of the French army. It romanticizes military life, obscuring the brutal realities of colonial occupation. Note how this contrasts with the rise of photojournalism, which began to expose the harsh truths of war and colonialism. The image raises questions about the politics of imagery, and the ways in which photography can be used to shape public opinion. To better understand the image, we can look to historical archives, military records, and accounts from the period. These resources can reveal the complex social and institutional forces that shaped the production and reception of this artwork. This can help us reflect on the meaning of art as something that is contingent on social and institutional context.