Robert Gould Shaw Memorial c. 1973 - 2008

This is Richard Benson's photograph of the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, and what strikes me is how it’s not just a picture but an exploration of surface and form. The texture! You can almost feel the grit of the stone, the way Benson plays with light and shadow to bring out every detail of the sculpture. Look at the general's face – see how the light catches the sharp angles, giving him a kind of stoic intensity? It reminds me of the way some painters build up layers of paint, each stroke adding to the overall depth and complexity. Benson’s piece reminds me a bit of some of the older photographers like Alfred Stieglitz. They were also interested in how photography could be more than just a record, but a way of really seeing, of understanding the world through light and form. Anyway, Benson’s work here is a reminder that art isn't just about the subject, but about the process of looking, feeling, and making.