Sheet Music: The Christian Slave c. 19th century

Curator: This is a piece of sheet music, entitled "The Christian Slave." It's from an unknown date and the artist is also, alas, anonymous. It is housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the theatrical framing—the draped curtains, the balcony... It’s almost melodramatic. The image promises quite a story within the music. Curator: Indeed. The image depicts two figures. One, kneeling and veiled, seems to be pleading with the other who is standing, and appears to be a young Christian slave. The story, of course, is embedded in the lyrics and music. Editor: I’m drawn to the contrast in posture—the abject devotion versus the almost stoic stance. It hints at power dynamics, religious tension, and perhaps even a plea for liberation. Curator: The piece was published by Jordens & Martens in New York, suggesting a market for such narratives at the time. What stories resonated then, and how do they echo today? Editor: It’s a small but potent visual fragment of a larger cultural narrative. The sheet music is a cultural artifact, not only for its musical content but also for what the cover image tries to convey. I find it deeply fascinating.