Artwork
Sherpur. The Laager and Abatts, West Corner, Showing the Kotal and Hills
Sherpur. The Laager and Abatts, West Corner, Showing the Kotal and Hills is a photography by the Impressionist artist John Burke. It dates from 1879 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This photograph, titled 'Sherpur.
About this work
Overview
This photograph, titled 'Sherpur. The Laager and Abatts, West Corner, Showing the Kotal and Hills', is a documentation of a scene from the Second Anglo-Afghan War. Taken by John Burke, it captures a moment of relative calm amidst conflict.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a British military laager, a makeshift fort formed by a ring of supply wagons, situated on a hillside in Afghanistan. A few soldiers are visible, standing guard.
Technique & Style
The photograph is characteristic of early conflict photography, which often focused on static scenes due to the limitations of camera technology at the time. Burke's work captures the landscape and infrastructure rather than action shots.
History & Provenance
John Burke was a pioneering photographer in Afghanistan, and this work is part of his documentation of the Second Anglo-Afghan War.
Artist & collection
