Description
Book Synopsis: A critical reexamination of Carpeaux’s bust Why Born Enslaved! and other nineteenth-century antislavery images—this book interrogates the treatment of the Black figure as a malleable political symbol and locus of exoticized beauty. This critical reexamination of Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux’s iconic bust Why Born Enslaved! unpacks the sculpture’s complex and sometimes contradictory engagement with an antislavery discourse. Noted art historians and writers discuss how categories of racial difference grew in popularity in the nineteenth century alongside a crescendo in cultural production in France during the Second Empire. By focusing on Why Born Enslaved! and comparing it to works by Carpeaux’s contemporaries on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as to objects by twenty-first-century artists Kara Walker and Kehinde Wiley, this volume explores such key themes as the portrayal of Black enslavement and emancipation; the commodification of images of Black figures; the role of sculpture in generating the sympathies of its audiences; and the relevance of Carpeaux’s sculpture to legacies of empire. The book also provides a chronology of events central to the histories of transatlantic slavery, abolition, colonialism, and empire.
Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Distributed by Yale University Press
Exhibition Schedule:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (March 10, 2022–March 5, 2023)
Details
Experience a critical reexamination of Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux's iconic bust Why Born Enslaved! with Fictions of Emancipation: Carpeaux's Why Born Enslaved! Reconsidered Book. Uncover the fascinating and sometimes contradictory engagement of this sculpture with an antislavery discourse. This thought-provoking book features renowned art historians and writers who analyze the portrayal of Black enslavement and emancipation, the commodification of Black figures, and the role of sculpture in generating audience sympathies.
Dive into the world of nineteenth-century antislavery images and explore the growing popularity of categories of racial difference during the Second Empire in France. Compare Carpeaux's work with other contemporary artists on both sides of the Atlantic and discover the relevance of this sculpture to the legacies of empire. Complete with a chronology of events central to the histories of transatlantic slavery, abolition, colonialism, and empire, Fictions of Emancipation is a must-have for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and distributed by Yale University Press, this comprehensive book is a testament to the intricate connections between art, politics, and society. Don't miss out on the opportunity to immerse yourself in this captivating journey through history.
Ready to embark on this enlightening exploration? Get your copy of Fictions of Emancipation today and discover the untold stories behind Carpeaux's acclaimed sculpture and its significance in the context of the ever-evolving world.
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