Fictions of Emancipation - Carpeaux`s Why Born Enslaved! Reconsidered

This book explores the treatment of the Black figure as a malleable political symbol and locus of exoticized beauty in nineteenth-century antislavery images, including Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux's bust "Why Born Enslaved!". It discusses how categories of racial difference grew in popularity in the nineteenth century and compares the sculpture to works by Carpeaux's contemporaries and twenty-first-century artists.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 140 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2022
Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art

This book delves into a profound exploration of Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux's renowned bust, "Why Born Enslaved!" and other nineteenth-century antislavery images. It challenges the conventional portrayal of the Black figure as a mere political symbol and a source of exoticized beauty. Through a meticulous examination of the sculpture and its historical context, the book sheds light on the complex and multifaceted ways in which racial difference was constructed and propagated during the nineteenth century.

Art historians and writers contribute their expertise to this critical reevaluation, shedding light on the rise of categories of racial difference in France during the Second Empire. They analyze how Carpeaux's bust, alongside works by his contemporaries on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as contemporary artists like Kara Walker and Kehinde Wiley, engages with themes such as Black enslavement, emancipation, the commodification of Black images, the power of sculpture to evoke empathy, and the enduring legacies of empire.

The book also offers a comprehensive chronology of events that shaped the histories of transatlantic slavery, abolition, colonialism, and empire. It provides valuable insights into the social, political, and cultural dynamics of the time, highlighting the intersections between art, history, and power.

"Why Born Enslaved!" serves as a testament to the enduring impact of art on shaping our understanding of the past and the present. It encourages us to critically examine the representations of race and identity in art and to explore the complex narratives that they convey. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the history, art, and politics of the nineteenth century.

Why Born Enslaved!: A Critical Reexamination of Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux's Iconic Bust and Nineteenth-Century Antislavery Images

In the realm of art history, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux's iconic bust, "Why Born Enslaved!" stands as a testament to the complex and often contradictory ways in which the Black figure was portrayed during the nineteenth century. This critical reexamination delves into the sculpture's intricate details and its historical context, shedding light on the ways in which racial difference was constructed and propagated.

The book explores the rise of categories of racial difference in France during the Second Empire, a period marked by a surge in cultural production and a growing fascination with racial categories. Art historians and writers examine how Carpeaux's bust, alongside works by his contemporaries on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as contemporary artists like Kara Walker and Kehinde Wiley, engages with themes such as Black enslavement, emancipation, the commodification of Black images, the power of sculpture to evoke empathy, and the enduring legacies of empire.

One of the key themes explored in the book is the portrayal of Black enslavement and emancipation. Carpeaux's bust, created in the late 1830s, depicts a Black woman with a serene expression, suggesting a sense of resilience and strength in the face of adversity. However, the sculpture also perpetuates stereotypes and reinforces the notion that Black people were inherently inferior and destined for servitude.

Artists of the time, including Carpeaux's contemporaries, often depicted Black people as exotic and primitive, reinforcing the idea that they were not fully human and were meant to be objects of fascination and amusement. This portrayal contributed to the widespread belief that Black people were inherently inferior and destined for servitude.

By comparing Carpeaux's bust to works by his contemporaries on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as to objects by twenty-first-century artists like Kara Walker and Kehinde Wiley, the book highlights the ways in which racial difference has evolved and continues to be shaped by cultural production. It explores how categories of racial difference grew in popularity in the nineteenth century alongside a crescendo in cultural production in France during the Second Empire.

The book also examines the commodification of images of Black figures. In the nineteenth century, images of Black people were often sold as souvenirs or collectibles, perpetuating the idea that they were objects of curiosity and entertainment. This commodification of Black images contributed to the perpetuation of stereotypes and the dehumanization of Black people.

Contemporary artists like Kara Walker and Kehinde Wiley have challenged these stereotypes and explored the complexities of Black identity through their work. Walker, for example, creates large-scale installations that explore the history of slavery and its impact on African American culture. Wiley, on the other hand, uses his sculptures to explore the intersection of race, gender, and power.

The book also explores the role of sculpture in generating the sympathies of its audiences. Carpeaux's bust, with its serene expression and powerful composition, has the ability to evoke empathy and compassion from its viewers. However, the sculpture's portrayal of Black enslavement and emancipation also raises questions about the ethical implications of creating art that perpetuates stereotypes and reinforces harmful narratives.

In conclusion, "Why Born Enslaved!" serves as a powerful testament to the complex and often contradictory ways in which the Black figure was portrayed during the nineteenth century. Through a critical reexamination of the sculpture and its historical context, the book sheds light on the ways in which racial difference was constructed and propagated. It highlights the enduring legacies of such representations and encourages us to critically examine the representations of race and identity in art and to explore the complex narratives that they convey.

Weight: 486g
Dimension: 341 x 258 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781588397447