Emancipated Blacks in the United States, from "Le Journal Illustré"

Frédéric Lix|Amand Jacob

July 23–30, 1865 · Wood engraving · Drawings and Prints

Roughly one month following the end of the American Civil War, "Le Journal Illustré," a French weekly newspaper, published this wood engraving that illustrated the stakes of the Union victory. Although Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it was not until 1865 that the congress passed the Thirteenth Amendment and the abolition of slavery was assured nationwide. While the image conveys a jubilant celebration of newfound freedom, the commentary that accompanied it was more pessimistic. The text asks what these men and women will do next for work and describes victims of starvation left in the path of triumphant processions such as this.

Artist

Frédéric Lix|Amand Jacob

Date

July 23–30, 1865

Medium

Wood engraving

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of Donato Esposito, 2016