"Aftermath of Vietcong Massacre"
Horst Faas
German, 1933–2012
December 12, 1969
A gelatin silver print photograph by Horst Faas that records a woman’s anguished mourning beside a body wrapped in bags, intended to document the civilian toll of the Vietnam War and compel public witness.
What strikes you is the raw immediacy of the woman’s upturned, contorted face and outstretched hands set against bright sand, the conical hat and the wrapped form lending a stark, unforgettable intimacy to the scene.
This work belongs to a pivotal strand of Vietnam War photojournalism that brought civilian suffering into public view, influencing public opinion and shaping conversations about the ethical power of images in reporting on conflict.
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
7 11/16 × 9 1/2" (19.5 × 24.1 cm)
Classification
Department
Credit
The New York Times Collection
Accession
2005.2001
Palette
Exhibitions
