Race and Vision in the Nineteenth-Century United States

Race and Vision in the Nineteenth-Century United States explores how imaging technologies in architecture, scientific discourse, sculpture, photography, painting, music, theater, and the twenty-first century visual commentary of Kara Walker depict fraught relations of identity and race. The essays juxtapose nineteenth-century racial practices with literary practices and technologies of performance, highlighting the inextricable link between photography and notions of race and American identity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Race and Vision in the Nineteenth-Century United States is a comprehensive collection of twelve essays penned by esteemed cultural critics, delving into the intricate dynamics of identity and race as they manifest through various imaging technologies. Spanning from architecture to scientific discourse, sculpture, photography, painting, music, theater, and even the contemporary visual commentary of Kara Walker, these essays offer a profound exploration of the complex interplay between race and visual representation.

Throughout these essays, the racial practices of the nineteenth century are juxtaposed with literary practices involving some of the most influential writers on race and identity, such as Herman Melville and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Moreover, the collection incorporates the technologies of performance, including theater and music, to further shed light on the multifaceted ways in which race was expressed and interpreted during this historical period.

Recent work in critical theories of vision, technology, and the production of ideas about racial discourse has underscored the inseparable relationship between photography and notions of race and American identity. The collected essays provide a vivid and captivating account of how imagery about race emerged during the formative years of the nineteenth-century United States, offering a rich tapestry of visual representations that shaped the nation's cultural landscape.

In conclusion, Race and Vision in the Nineteenth-Century United States serves as a vital resource for scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts alike, providing a comprehensive examination of the complex interplay between race, visual representation, and cultural identity. Through its insightful essays and interdisciplinary approach, the collection offers a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural significance of imagery about race in the nineteenth century and its enduring impact on American society.

Weight: 381g
Dimension: 229 x 151 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781498573139