Frederick Douglass
Artist
George Kendall Warren
(American, 1824 - 1884)
Collaborator
Frederick Douglass
(American, 1818 - 1895)
Dateca. 1870
MediumAlbumen cabinet card
DimensionsImage: 4 7/16 × 3 1/2 inches (11.27 × 8.89 cm)
Sheet: 5 13/16 × 4 inches (14.76 × 10.16 cm)
Mount: 6 1/2 × 4 1/4 inches (16.51 × 10.8 cm)
Sheet: 5 13/16 × 4 inches (14.76 × 10.16 cm)
Mount: 6 1/2 × 4 1/4 inches (16.51 × 10.8 cm)
Credit LineGift of Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Object number2005.27.272
SignedOn mount recto, lower left, in black pen: "Warren's"
InscribedOn mount verso, upper left, in pencil: "Frederick Douglass"
Markingsnone
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionOval image of a man, Frederick Douglas, in three-quarter profile. He's dressed in a suit jacket with vest and tie. He has a full beard and his hair is long enough to cover his ears.Gallery LabelThis portrait of abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass, made when he was about 52 years old, conveys Douglass’ commanding physical presence and penetrating gaze. Douglass was astutely aware of the power of the photograph, believing its descriptive capacity naturally served social justice by dispelling prejudices and stereotypes. Douglass used photographs of himself to project an image of African American strength and sophistication. He particularly embraced affordable formats such as the carte-de-visite and larger cabinet card (seen here), because they reached wider audiences.
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