New photography by Pat Cagney captured with a digital camera.

The Drop

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

Publisher Philp and Solomons, Washington, D.C. (American)

DateJuly 7, 1865

MediumAlbumen print

DimensionsOverall: 3 1/2 x 7 in. (8.9 x 17.8 cm)

ClassificationsPhotography

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

Object number98.32.14

Terms

U.S. Civil War
Prisons
Courtyard

Collections

Photography

On View

Not on view

DescriptionThe David L. Hack Civil War Photography Collection. This is a photograph of the Old Arsenal Prison. There are many guards lined up on the high wall in the background. In the center there is a wooden platform set up for an execution. Four people are seen to be hanging in the air by their necks with a noose. This is from _Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War_ (Hack Collection No. 324).

Label TextAlexander Gardner American, 1821−1882 The Drop, 1865 Published by Philp & Solomons, Washington, D.C. Albumen print (photograph) At approximately 1:26 p.m., General John F. Hartranft clapped his hands three times. The trap doors opened and the four Lincoln assassination conspirators dropped to their deaths. Alexander Gardner used a two-aperture stereoscopic camera to record this moment. When viewed properly, the resulting dual-image print provides the subtle illusion of depth. The stereoscopic camera also had the advantage of requiring a shorter exposure time. Perhaps the photographer anticipated that the hanging bodies would swing and be difficult to capture on film. Gift of David L. Hack and Museum purchase, with funds from Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., by exchange 98.32.14