London: The British Museum, 1857

About the Work

Roger Fenton’s career as a photographer is impressive. During the early years of photography, he was the most creative and successful photographer in the UK. His architectural views and landscapes, portraits and still lifes, along with his travel and war photographs, are milestones in photographic history. In his role as the British Museum’s first official photographer, Fenton demonstrated his sure sense as a ‘photo artist’. Here, the mother and her children lend the awe-inspiring facade a human dimension.