âI am America. I am the part you wonât recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me.â Muhammad Ali.
Iâve been thinking about this since the death of Muhammad Ali, about the importance of black people in society through history and that even nowadays is hardly represented. And in the 18th century, even less represented.
So, let me tell you that finding this images was not easy at all. First of all, since my inspiration was Aliâs black pride, I didnât want portraits showing black men, women or children in slavery or service position. I wanted beautiful, proud and powerful portraits. And I found them :)
Of course I also wanted some strong characters from tv and film and, you know what? IT WAS FUCKING HARD. Not because there are not many black strong characters in 18th century dramas (even though there actually are not many), BUT because there are not many images of them in the internet. Which, let me tell you Internet, THAT SUCKS.
For example, try googling âAbigail Jordan Turnâ. Google it, Iâll wait here (or click the link). There are just a few images of any of both actors (Idara Victor and Aldis Hodge) and of those there are even less with just the two of them or any of them alone. Thereâs usually also a white character in that photo.
Of course Gugu Mbatha-Rawâs photos were easier to find, since sheâs the main actress of âBelleâ, it would have been ridiculous to not find photos of her. On the other hand, have you seen Amazing Grace? Do you remember the ONLY black character of this movie? Well, apparently there are only A FEW of different photos of Youssou N'Dour as Olaudah Equiano on a fast Google search.
Finally let me tell you I saw a Mexican/Spanish film this weekend called El Baile de San Juan (Iâll make a full post about that) about a pair of lovers in the last decade of the 18th century in the New Spain. There are two black characters, and one of them is this woman called MarĂa FĂŠ (portrayed by Sylvie Henry) who is basically the link between all stories and characters, so sheâs there the WHOLE movie, the story flows because of her. Sheâs got a son (Jacinto, portrayed by the beautiful Yotuel Romero) which is a small character. Her costume is very likely one of the most historically accurate from the movie and itâs gorgeous (from the earrings she wears, to her hair, her chintz print petticoat⌠everything). But you know something? The photo I posted here is the only decent one on the internet of her, no promo shots, no stills, no nothing. As if the only characters in the movie are the two (boring) main characters and the European ones.
And this is only a little example of the lack of representation nowadays of black people. But, let me let you go with this thought: this post is about black people and it was hard, if I would have looked for mestizo and mixed raze representation in the 18th century (and nowadays) I would have to stick to casta painting and a few American portraits just to get that in the media, we Latin people (and all people of colour) are pretty invisible.
But letâs better take a look at the photos from top and you all should reblog and add images of 18th century black people <3
âPortrait of a Young Womanâ, 1790s, Jean-Ătienne Liotard.
âPortrait of a Manâ, ca. 1802, Joseph Ducreux
âPortrait of Dido Elizabeth Belle Lindsay and her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murrayâ, ca. 1778, Johann Zoffany
Youssou N'Dour as Olaudah Equiano in âAmazing Graceâ, dir. Michael Apted, costume design by Jenny Beavan.
Idara Victor as Abigail and Aldis Hodge as Jordan in âTurnâ, costume design by Donna Zakowska.
âDe Negro y India; China cambujaâ, 1763, Miguel Cabrera
âPortrait of a Young Black Italian Manâ, 1760s, Alessandro Longhi
Sylvie Henry as MarĂa FĂŠ and Yotuel Romero as Jacinto in âEl Baile de San Juanâ, dir. Francisco AthiĂŠ, Costume Design by Leticia Palacios, 2010.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Dido Elizabeth Belle in âBelleâ, dir. Amma Asante, costume design by Anushia Nieradzik, 2013.
âPortrait of Two Society Women", 1740s, Stephen Slaughter
âA Young Black (thought to be Francis Barber)â, undated, Sir Joshua Reynolds