Capturing the Dead of Antietam

Alexander Gardner, a photographer for Matthew Brady's studio, took the first photographs of dead American soldiers on the battlefield of Antietam during the Civil War. These stereoscopic photographs, taken in 3D, provided a hauntingly realistic view of the depth and reality of the war. Visitors to Brady's gallery in Manhattan experienced a profound and emotional connection to the images, feeling the weight of the soldiers and the distance stretching into the chaotic line of bodies. The photographs left a lasting impact on those who viewed them, prompting reflections on the role and significance of depicting the dead in pictures.