The historical images of “Virginia and Luxuries” and “The Philosophic Cock” presents the ideas of the role of free white men as a figure of dominion in society, women who are submissive and African slaves as an object of lust. During the era of slavery in America, one subject remained the oppressed without reservation. Women, then, carried no rights, but to be tied down to her husband. If she were to marry, she forsakes her independence as a woman. Consequently, this did not change with slaves who had to harbor these restrictions in America.
Within “Virginia and Luxuries”, the subjects that are displayed are the white male figure and the African man and woman who are slaves. On one side of the picture, the white male figure kisses the African …show more content…
The cock in this painting is clearly Thomas Jefferson, whereas the hen is Sally Hemings. To start out, the title of this painting is suits the subjects within it for several reasons. Thomas Jefferson, who is one of the founding fathers to have written the Constitution, stands tall, overarching Sally, while she crouches and admires him. It is also important to note that Jefferson’s facial expression is in contrast of what Sally presents; his attention is not towards her. The quote within “Philosophic Cock” seems to quote Jefferson as saying, “Tis not a set of features or complexion or tincture of a skin that I admire”. The author of this painting is clearly pointing out the idea that Jefferson had no physical attraction towards his slave, whom he had an affair with. Additionally, Jefferson, one of the founding fathers who wrote the constitution, represents the male figure of America, and embodies a slave master. Because of his influence to the constitution, he is speaking for what he believes America values at that time. Sally, however, represents the African slave women during that era and how their masters through lust and dominance induced them. One important thing to note that was in the Constitution is the infamous “We the People” phrase that for so long represents the unity of America. Analyzing the text of Nell Painter’s book, The History of …show more content…
Only those two words are displayed. Aside from the pictures, the attitudes towards slavery and the feelings felt about the subject of slavery is limited and little is said. Similarly, in the US Constitution, in Article IV, Section 2, line 3 states that “No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.” The Founding Fathers’ inability to use or acknowledge the term slavery shows their feelings towards slavery and African slaves. It shows a sense of struggle of writing a fugitive slave act without using the term itself. As one can see, this is how the image connects with the constitution and the way the Founding Fathers and influencers felt about
Within “Virginia and Luxuries”, the subjects that are displayed are the white male figure and the African man and woman who are slaves. On one side of the picture, the white male figure kisses the African …show more content…
The cock in this painting is clearly Thomas Jefferson, whereas the hen is Sally Hemings. To start out, the title of this painting is suits the subjects within it for several reasons. Thomas Jefferson, who is one of the founding fathers to have written the Constitution, stands tall, overarching Sally, while she crouches and admires him. It is also important to note that Jefferson’s facial expression is in contrast of what Sally presents; his attention is not towards her. The quote within “Philosophic Cock” seems to quote Jefferson as saying, “Tis not a set of features or complexion or tincture of a skin that I admire”. The author of this painting is clearly pointing out the idea that Jefferson had no physical attraction towards his slave, whom he had an affair with. Additionally, Jefferson, one of the founding fathers who wrote the constitution, represents the male figure of America, and embodies a slave master. Because of his influence to the constitution, he is speaking for what he believes America values at that time. Sally, however, represents the African slave women during that era and how their masters through lust and dominance induced them. One important thing to note that was in the Constitution is the infamous “We the People” phrase that for so long represents the unity of America. Analyzing the text of Nell Painter’s book, The History of …show more content…
Only those two words are displayed. Aside from the pictures, the attitudes towards slavery and the feelings felt about the subject of slavery is limited and little is said. Similarly, in the US Constitution, in Article IV, Section 2, line 3 states that “No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.” The Founding Fathers’ inability to use or acknowledge the term slavery shows their feelings towards slavery and African slaves. It shows a sense of struggle of writing a fugitive slave act without using the term itself. As one can see, this is how the image connects with the constitution and the way the Founding Fathers and influencers felt about