An Auction of Enslaved People in Richmond, from "Le Monde Illustré"

Edmond Morin|Bourcier

March 23, 1861 · Wood engraving · Drawings and Prints

Roughly one month before the outbreak of the American Civil War, "Le Monde Illustré," a French weekly newspaper, published this wood engraving to illustrate an article about the auctions of enslaved people in the southern states. The print shows a public sale in Richmond, Virginia, the largest depot of the trade, besides New Orleans. The condemnatory article animates this "revolting market" by quoting the derogatory sales pitch of the auctioneer gesturing toward the young mother and child at right.

Artist

Edmond Morin|Bourcier

Date

March 23, 1861

Medium

Wood engraving

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of Donato Esposito, 2018