Sir Charles Ash Windham (1810-1970), General; taken at the Crimea 1855

Editor: This daguerreotype from 1855, by Roger Fenton, presents Sir Charles Ash Windham. The subdued tones create such a serious mood. What symbolic weight do you see in this portrait, given its historical context? Curator: Indeed, the weight is palpable. The daguerreotype, in its very process, served as a new kind of historical witness, offering a seemingly objective truth. But observe Windham’s pose. It’s deliberately relaxed, almost casual. What might that suggest to you? Editor: Perhaps a display of confidence, of a man secure in his position, even amidst war? Curator: Precisely! And consider his gaze: direct, unwavering. It embodies a particular type of stoicism popular at the time. His military attire, immaculate and precise, further reinforces the image of authority, duty, and adherence to cultural expectation. There is the English stiff upper lip, quite literally captured in silver. How does this connect with your understanding of England at the time? Editor: Well, I know the Crimean War was controversial, and the public was getting more news from the front lines… So perhaps this portrait served to project strength and leadership back home, combatting those anxieties? Curator: An astute observation. Photography became a tool – or a symbol -- for shaping public perception during conflict. It became an artefact imbued with cultural anxiety. Did seeing this in photographic form instead of painted change your impression? Editor: Absolutely, I had not thought of the then-modern photographic techniques lending their own meaning. It shows photography could act not just as a recorder, but also a very active storyteller! Curator: Indeed. It’s a potent reminder that even the seemingly objective can be laden with cultural intent.