Capitol Riot

By all accounts, the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021 was at once planned insurrection, mob chaos, and in the end, nearly catastrophic. America witnessed what transpired in real time. The thousands of photographs and videos that were made are staggering, not only by virtue of their content, but by the speed through which they were and are disseminated worldwide through print, television, internet, and social media.

Highlighted here is a selection of images by Magnum photographer Peter van Agtmael juxtaposed with those made by Brett Davis, who posted his work under a Creative Commons license on Flickr. The content of these photographs is so compelling that it dominates our perception of their meaning. By the nature of what we are seeing, we lose sight of the identity of the photographer.

At a time of crisis, documentation is essential. Whether the maker of the photograph is professional or amateur, a bystander or a participant, becomes irrelevant. While an individual image may become iconic, it is the cumulative affect of an unprecedented number of images that ultimately forms our lasting impression. The complex relationship between evidence and truth that these images of the Capitol riot engender is likely to be interrogated for decades to come.

Protestors march on the U.S. Capitol. Washington D.C., January 6, 2021. © Peter van Agtmael / Magnum Photos

Capital breach. Washington, D.C., January 6, 2021. Photograph by Brett Davis.

Following an inflammatory speech by President Trump, protestors objecting to the certification of Joe Biden by Congress storm the Capitol. Washington D.C., January 6, 2021. © Peter van Agtmael / Magnum Photos

Capital breach. Washington, D.C., January 6, 2021. Photograph by Brett Davis.

Supporters of President Trump at the “Save America Rally” on the day that Congress was slated to certify the Presidential results for Joe Biden. Washington D.C., January 6, 2021. © Peter van Agtmael / Magnum Photos