Slave trade on the African Coast
Biard, Francois Auguste Andre
Africa
Circa 1840
paper
Overall: 28 1/2 x 36 1/4 x 1 1/4 in.
Print of slave trade; Historical print of slave trade on the African Coast; print is signed "Biard" at lower right, and is attributed to Francois Auguste Andre Biard, a French painter (1798-1882) known for ships and military scenes; this is an engraving after one of his paintings; the scene depicts Africans being sold by other Africans to white traders; the arrogant white master reclines and surveys the scene while the African chief who is selling his rival tribesmen smokes a long pipe and waits to see what profit he will make; an overseer holds shackles behind his back and a black woman is being branded; another tries to cover her baby; another man is being examined while a white sailor and some Africans haggle over his sale price; in the background, men and women are being beaten or stand bound, while the slave ship waits off shore; light foxing throughout.
1999.128.4