Injured Innocence 1878

"Injured Innocence" is a pencil drawing by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, a prolific American artist known for his humorous animal paintings. This poignant portrayal, created in 1878, depicts a young African American man with a forlorn expression, wearing a large, tattered hat with birds nestled inside. The subject's clothing, with a tear in the shoulder, adds to the sense of vulnerability and hardship. Coolidge's work often explored social commentary, and this piece may offer a glimpse into the realities faced by marginalized communities in 19th-century America.