The Scourged Back

≽ A Typical Negro: The Haunting Article from Harper's Weekly

     A story published in 1863 by Harper's Weekly contained numerous photographs of a runaway slave named Gordon. Many of these photographs emboldened the abolitionist cause in the Northern States, but there is one photograph in particular that truly solidified the shift in popular opinion. This photo is commonly known as "The Scourged Back".

Face of Harper's Weekly Article

Medical Photo of Gordon ("The Scourged Back")

≽ Historical and Social Significance

     With the expanding use of photography among the American Civil War, the horrors of conflict and strife rapidly spread with harrowing realism. It seems the public was immediately moved by this image in particular due largely to this new form of medium, as most viewers now see this as an actual human being. Although painting is an excellent medium for expressive art, an image produced from paint will always be subject to artist interpretation, skill level, technique, and even the social conscience of, "It's just a painting".

     Due to this thought process, I believe it was hard for the general public to truly identify with the dire punishments and torture these individuals faced. But once a photograph is placed in front of you and the actual being is represented in its tangible form, the ability to sympathize with the subject and recognize their pain becomes easily apparent.

     This photograph to me is a true hallmark of photographic influence. The display of forcing one to recognize a man from recognizing the pain inflicted has even to this day been an essential tool in social change and worldly action.