Abyssinian slaves resting at Korti, Nubia. 1846 - 1849

David Roberts made this print, titled Abyssinian slaves resting at Korti, Nubia, during a time of growing European interest in, and colonial expansion into, Africa. Roberts, as a European artist, depicts a group of resting Abyssinian slaves in Nubia. The print offers a glimpse into the lives of enslaved individuals, capturing a moment of pause within their captivity. The subjects are adorned with various headpieces and cloths wrapped around their waists; the gaze of the subjects is either averted or directed at each other. It’s important to consider the power dynamics inherent in such representations, and how the artist's own cultural context may have shaped the portrayal of these individuals. By considering these kinds of images, we confront historical narratives of race, slavery, and representation. Roberts’ lithograph invites us to reflect on the human cost of slavery, and the importance of understanding this history through an intersectional lens.