Portret van William Wilberforce 1792

Charles Howard Hodges captured this portrait of William Wilberforce through the art of mezzotint. Hodges immortalizes Wilberforce, a British politician and philanthropist, in this moment of contemplation. Wilberforce dedicated his life to the abolition of slavery in Britain, a cause deeply intertwined with issues of race, ethics, and economic power. What does it mean to see this man, posed with the tools of literacy – paper and pen – knowing that his words could liberate or oppress? Portraits of abolitionists often served to humanize figures who fought against injustice. Yet, they also existed within a society where racial hierarchies were deeply entrenched. The image prompts us to consider the complexities inherent in the representation of historical figures, and the lens through which we view their legacies. It encourages reflection on the nuanced interplay between individual actions and systemic change.