[Grand Army Review, Washington] 1865

Alexander Gardner captured this albumen print in Washington, documenting the Grand Army Review. The image offers a glimpse into the social fabric of post-Civil War America. Note the rigid social stratification reflected in the architecture; elevated platforms segregate spectators by class and status, while the soldiers in the foreground are blurred, anonymous figures. Gardner's work, like that of many photographers of his era, can be situated within a broader project of nation-building. Photography played a vital role in constructing a visual record of the war and its aftermath, shaping public memory and national identity. The image invites us to consider the politics of representation and the ways in which photography can both reflect and reinforce existing power structures. To understand better the nuances of this image, one might consult period newspapers, military records, and social histories of Washington D.C. These resources help us to interpret the photograph as a product of its time, embedded in specific social and institutional contexts.