The viewer, simultaneously shocked at and reassured by the faraway violence, is aware of photography's temporal discretion: whatever is depicted, at least for that specific incident, belongs to the past. Of course, any reflective viewer must also grapple with the photographs partial vision, knowing that whatever has been revealed is insufficient and also informed by biases. (Ritchen, p. 119)
Scroll right to view a panorama
by Felice Beato.
Left:
“Interior of the 2nd North Fort, after Its Surrender on August 21st, 1860, Wherein 2,000 Prisoners Were Taken, August 22 or later, 1860” (caption, Harris, p. 66)
Photograph by Felice Beato, August 22 or later, 1860
US National Gallery of Art
[Beato_08-22-a-Taku_North.jpg]
View in the Image Gallery
“Interior of the 2nd North Fort, after Its Surrender on August 21st, 1860, Wherein 2,000 Prisoners Were Taken, August 22 or later, 1860” (caption, Harris, p. 66)
Photograph by Felice Beato, August 22 or later, 1860
US National Gallery of Art
[Beato_08-22-a-Taku_North.jpg]
View in the Image Gallery
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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