4035 - Fenton, Roger

Fenton, Roger Generals and Regiments of the Crimean War from Photographic Pictures of the Seat of War in the Crimea. 1855. 12 salted-paper prints, mounted on card. Each between 13.3 x 15.6 cm and 20 x 14.4 cm (mounts 60 x 44.5 cm). With captions and printed credit line on the mount: “Photographed by R. Fenton.” Manchester, Published by T. Agnew & Sons, March 25, 1856. London, P. & D. Colnaghi & Co., Paris, Moulin 23, Rue Richer. New York, Williams & Co." This group is part of Roger Fenton’s landmark series *Photographic Pictures of the Seat of War in the Crimea*, published by Thomas Agnew & Sons in 1855–56. Taken during Fenton’s expedition to the Crimea in 1855, the photographs depict officers, regiments, encampments, and the orderly routines of military life. Deliberately avoiding the depiction of violence or suffering, Fenton’s photographs embody the Victorian ideals of stoicism and dignified heroism, and were instrumental in shaping contemporary public perception of the war. Today, they are recognized as a foundational achievement in the history of war photography. – Mounts show some light foxing, soiling, handling marks, tears, and edge wear; some prints are slightly faded, but otherwise the prints are fine in terms of tone and are in good to very good condition.