ALEXANDER GARDNER (1821-1882) What Do I Want, John Henry?, Warrenton, VA, from Incidents of the War. Albumen print, the image measuring 6 7/8x9 inches (17.5x22.9 cm.), the two-toned mount 12x16 7/8 inches (30.5x42.9 cm.), with Gardner's letterpress credit, address, copyright, series title, image title, and date, on mount recto; and with the printed caption sheet laid in. 1862
Provenance: Lee Gallery, Winchester, Massachusetts
One of a seminal series of war photographs titled "Incidents of the War." Gardner had unlimited access to photograph the Union Army, producing imagery that described life in the camps and the aftermath of battles. During the war these images were circulated in exhibitions or as small-format prints. After the war, Gardner published his Photographic Sketch Book of the War, retailing for $150.
