Photograph by Ed Pollard, Hasselblad H4D50 - 2012.

View of the Courtyard and Scaffold from the Roof of the Arsenal

Artist Alexander Gardner (American (born Scotland), 1821 - 1882)

CultureAmerican

DateJuly 7, 1865

MediumAlbumen print

DimensionsOverall: 5 1/2 x 8 in. (14 x 20.3 cm)
Overall, Frame: 24 1/8 x 26 1/8 in. (61.3 x 66.4 cm)

Credit LineGift of David L. Hack and Museum purchase, with funds from Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., by exchange

Object number98.32.16

Collections

Photography

Not on view

DescriptionThe David L. Hack Civil War Photography Collection. This photograph presents a different view of the Old Arsenal Prison, showing not only the brick prison wall and platform for hanging prisoners but also the large brick building in the back from an aerial perspective.This is from _Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War_ (Hack Collection No. 326).

Label TextAlexander Gardner American, 1821−1882 View of the Courtyard and Scaffold from the Roof of the Arsenal, 1865 Albumen print (photograph) The bodies of the four conspirators hung on the gallows for around 25 minutes. During this short window of time, Alexander Gardner moved his camera equipment from the prison yard to a nearby rooftop for a wider view. Notice that the coffins have been transferred to the feet of the gallows, ready to receive the four bodies. Many onlookers remained to watch them be cut down. Gift of David L. Hack and Museum purchase, with funds from Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., by exchange 98.32.16 Exhibition History"An Enduring Interest: The Photographs of Alexander Gardner," The Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, Va., Oct. 20, 1991 - Jan. 5, 1992. "Civil War Photographs from the David L. Hack Collection and Civil War Redux: Pinhole Photographs by Willie Anne Wright," Alice R. and Sol B. Frank Photo Galleries, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, February 3 - October 29, 2006; Cape Fear Museum, Wilmington, NC, February 15 - May 28, 2007; Huntington Museum of Art, Huntington, WV, July 26 - September 21, 2008. "Shooting Lincoln: Photography and the 16th President," Chrysler Museum of Art, February 10 - July 5, 2015.Published ReferencesBrooks Johnson, _An Enduring Interest: The Photographs of Alexander Gardner_, exh. cat., The Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, Va., 1991, 128.