Unseen Waterloo: The conflict revisited

Delightful exhibition at Somerset House of photographs by Sam Faulkner of Waterloo re-enactors.

I know it sounds odd but this show had a real sense of majesty and destiny! The pictures had been taken since 2009 at various Waterloo re-enactments in a improvised studio. They were shown in a large format like an art gallery and hung against a background of red Hainsworth fabric, which was the material British uniforms were made from which gave the name of Red Coats.  The chandeliers in the room had been bagged giving it a slightly feeling of the Waterloo Ball from Vanity Fair.

The detail of the recreation and photography of the uniforms was stunning and it was easy to forget that these were not early 19th century soldiers but happy modern geeks! Despite the detailed and lovely uniforms you really focused on the faces.  Since seeing this show I have seen a set of photographs of veterans of Waterloo in their original uniforms and there was a real dialogue between them and these pictures.

I have seen a number of Waterloo commemoration exhibitions (plus a horse that was at Waterloo!) but somehow, despite not having any original artefacts, this is the one which brought home to me the men who fought on both sides and the effect the battle had on the British psyche.

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