At the height of Britain’s trans – Atlantic trade in enslaved Africans, the streets of London, along with the opulent homes of its wealthy citizens had a Black presence.
Two artists from this period, Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723- 1792), President of the Royal Academy, and William Hogarth (1697 – 1764), captured that presence in their works, albeit in varied tones and nuances.
The works of both artists during this period serve as a compelling and intriguing canvas, reflecting a society rife with complexities and contradictions. While Black figures were conspicuously present in their city and in their art, the roles these figures occupied within the compositions and the narratives they supported were multi – layered.
The talk will consider those layers revealing the rich commentary on the socio- cultural milieu of the timeeach artist was making about the Black presence and its implications in eighteenth century English society.
This is an ONLINE event. Please check your junk mail for the Zoom link nearer to the time