Untitled c. 19th century

Editor: This is an untitled piece by Joseph Andrews, created around 1853. It appears to be an engraving of a Black man sitting by the shore, a ship visible in the background. What strikes you most about this work? Curator: The figure’s posture and the nearby commodities invite us to consider the forced labor and trade dynamics of the 19th century. How does his relaxed pose juxtapose with the historical realities of exploitation and the transatlantic economy? Editor: I hadn’t considered that angle, I was focused on the ship in the distance! Curator: Consider the date, 1853, and the man's placement near cargo. Andrews subtly places him within a visual dialogue about race, labor, and mobility during a pivotal moment in American history. Editor: It definitely gives me a new perspective on the artwork. Curator: These historical fragments within the image push us to reflect on America’s complex past.