Humans are visual creatures and we tend to visualize things in the way they are presented to us. Therefore, when you look at monochromatic photo of an historic event you are imaging it in black and white.
We are used to watching historic photos in monochromatic format, that’s why we are always filled with an extreme sense of fascination and wonderment whenever we encountered a historical image or video restored with color, especially if that historic image dates to 19th century from a iconic event such as The American Civil War. The photography was not invented until the 1820s, so the American Civil War was one of the first wars to be photographed.
TIME commissioned Swedish artist Sanna Dullaway to restore and colorize some of the most important pictures shot, in black and white, during the American Civil War. This is an interesting opportunity to try to reimagine the Civil war in lively and vivid colors.
Robert Smalls, S.C. M.C. Born in Beaufort, SC, April 1839
Summary
African American legislator.
Robert Smalls, S.C. M.C. Born in Beaufort, SC, April 1839
Summary
African American legislator.
Antietam, Md. Allan Pinkerton (“E. J. Allen”) of the Secret Service on horseback, Oct. 1862.
Photo colorization by Sanna Dullaway for TIME; Original image: Alexander Gardner—Library of Congress
Allan Pinkerton, President Lincoln, and Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand; another view. Photograph from the main eastern theater of the war, Battle of Antietam, September-October 1862. Date Created/Published: 1862
Photo colorization by Sanna Dullaway for TIME; Original image: Alexander Gardner—Library of Congress
![Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Camp of Captain [John J.] Hoff., July, 1865](http://www.thevintagenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2015/11/Camp-of-Captain-John-J.-Hoff.-in-Gettysburg-Penn.-July-1865.jpg)
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Camp of Captain [John J.] Hoff., July, 1865
![Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Camp of Captain [John J.] Hoff., July, 1865](http://www.thevintagenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2015/11/Camp-of-Captain-John-J.-Hoff.-in-Gettysburg-Penn.-July-1865.color_.jpg)
Photo colorization by Sanna Dullaway for TIME; Original image: Alexander Gardner—Library of Congress
Petersburg, Virginia. Cock fighting at Gen. Orlando B. Willcox’s headquarters, 1864.
Photo colorization by Sanna Dullaway for TIME; Original image: Alexander Gardner—Library of Congress
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. John L. Burns, the “old hero of Gettysburg,” with gun and crutches
Photo colorization by Sanna Dullaway for TIME; Original image: Alexander Gardner—Library of Congress
![Portrait of Maj. Gen. (as of Apr. 15, 1865) George A. Custer, officer of the Federal Army], 1865](http://www.thevintagenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2015/11/Portrait-of-Maj.-Gen.-George-A.-Custer-officer-of-the-Federal-Army-1865..jpg)
Portrait of Maj. Gen. (as of Apr. 15, 1865) George A. Custer, officer of the Federal Army], 1865
![Portrait of Maj. Gen. (as of Apr. 15, 1865) George A. Custer, officer of the Federal Army], 1865](http://www.thevintagenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2015/11/Portrait-of-Maj.-Gen.-George-A.-Custer-officer-of-the-Federal-Army-1865.color_.jpg)
Photo colorization by Sanna Dullaway for TIME; Original image: Alexander Gardner—Library of Congress
![Abraham Lincoln, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing front. Date Created/Published: [photograph taken 1863 Nov. 8; printed later and c1900]. Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.](http://www.thevintagenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2015/11/Portrait-of-President-Abraham-Lincoln-1863..jpg)
Abraham Lincoln, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing front. Date Created/Published: [photograph taken 1863 Nov. 8; printed later and c1900].
Photo colorization by Sanna Dullaway for TIME; Original image: Alexander Gardner—Library of Congress
Portrait of Rear Adm. David D. Porter, officer of the Federal Navy, 1860
Photo colorization by Sanna Dullaway for TIME; Original image: Alexander Gardner—Library of Congress
Petersburg, Va. Surgeons of 3d Division before hospital tent, Aug. 1864.
Photo colorization by Sanna Dullaway for TIME; Original image: Alexander Gardner—Library of Congress
Washington, District of Columbia. Tent life of the 31st Penn. Inf. (later, 82d Penn. Inf.) at Queen’s farm, vicinity of Fort Slocum, 1861.
Photo colorization by Sanna Dullaway for TIME; Original image: Alexander Gardner—Library of Congress
Gettysburg, Pa. Alfred R. Waud, artist of Harper’s Weekly, sketching on battlefield, July 1863
Photo colorization by Sanna Dullaway for TIME; Original image: Alexander Gardner—Library of Congress
Capt. Custer of the 5th Cavalry is seen with Lt. Washington, a prisoner and former classmate
Photo colorization by Sanna Dullaway for TIME; Original image: Alexander Gardner—Library of Congress
Powder monkey by gun of U.S.S. New Hampshire off Charleston, S.C., 1860
Photo colorization by Sanna Dullaway for TIME; Original image: Alexander Gardner—Library of Congress
Antietam, Md. President Lincoln and Gen. George B. McClellan in the general’s tent, Sept. – Oct. 1862
Photo colorization by Sanna Dullaway for TIME; Original image: Alexander Gardner—Library of Congress