Slave Market 1866

"Slave Market" is a painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme, a prominent French academic artist known for his historical and Orientalist subjects. Created in 1866, it depicts a scene of a slave market in the Middle East, with a nude woman being examined by a potential buyer while others look on. The painting, now located at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA, sparked controversy for its graphic depiction of the slave trade. Gérôme's meticulous attention to detail and realistic portrayal of the scene create a powerful and unsettling image, raising questions about the ethics of the slave trade and the role of art in social commentary.