Artwork
The Descent from Khurd Khyber, Looking Towards Bassaule
The Descent from Khurd Khyber, Looking Towards Bassaule 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.
About this work
You see a steep mountain pass with British soldiers marching downhill in long lines.
This photo was taken during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. Burke lugged heavy glass plates and a darkroom tent up these slopes—no easy feat. The men look tiny against the rocks, showing how vast and harsh the land was.
For more photos like this, look up John Burke (Irish, 1845–1915).
Overview
This photograph, 'The Descent from Khurd Khyber, Looking Towards Bassaule', captures a scene from the Second Anglo-Afghan War. Taken by John Burke, it is one of the earliest extensive photographic documentations of the conflict in Afghanistan.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts British soldiers navigating a steep mountain pass, conveying the challenging terrain and scale of the landscape. The soldiers appear as small figures within the vast and rugged environment.
Technique & Style
The photograph is characteristic of early conflict photography, focusing on landscapes and infrastructure rather than action shots, due to the technological limitations of the time. Burke used heavy glass plates and a darkroom tent to capture the image.
History & Provenance
John Burke, an Irish photographer active from 1868 to 1898, was the primary photographer documenting the Second Anglo-Afghan War. His work provides valuable visual records of the conflict and its settings.
Artist & collection
