Heroes of the Colored Race

Object Details

Artist

Joseph Hoover, 1830 - 1913

Sitter

Frederick Douglass, Feb 1818 - 20 Feb 1895

Blanche Kelso Bruce, 1841 - 1898

Hiram Rhoades Revels, 27 Sep 1827 - 16 Jan 1901

John Roy Lynch, 10 Sep 1847 - 2 Nov 1939

Robert Smalls, 5 Apr 1839 - 23 Feb 1915

Joseph Hayne Rainey, 21 Jun 1832 - 2 Aug 1887

Charles Edmund Nash, 23 May 1844 - 21 Jun 1913

John Brown, 9 May 1800 - 2 Dec 1859

Exhibition Label

This print honors prominent individuals who advocated for the civil and political rights of African Americans during the Reconstruction era. At center, the world-famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass is flanked by portraits of Blanche Bruce and Hiram Revels of Mississippi, the first Black senators (and the last until 1967). Four Black members of the House of Representatives appear in the corners: John Lynch (Mississippi), Joseph Rainey (South Carolina), Robert Smalls (South Carolina), and Charles Nash (Louisiana). American flag motifs surround portraits of Presidents Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, and Ulysses S. Grant (at top), as well as abolitionist John Brown (below).

The history and accomplishments of unsung Black heroes appear in each of the four corners. Above, scenic vignettes highlight the economic contributions of enslaved laborers and the military contributions of U.S. Colored Troops. Below, newly freed people respond joyously to the Emancipation Proclamation, and children prepare for citizenship through public education.

Esta estampa honra a figuras que defendieron los derechos civiles y políticos de los afroamericanos durante la era de la Reconstrucción. Al centro, el abolicionista de fama mundial Frederick Douglass está flanqueado por Blanche Bruce y Hiram Revels, de Misisipi, los primeros senadores negros (y los últimos hasta 1967). Cuatro representantes negros aparecen en las esquinas: John Lynch (Misisipi), Joseph Rainey (Carolina del Sur), Robert Smalls (Carolina del Sur) y Charles Nash (Luisiana). Detalles de la bandera nacional rodean los retratos de los presidentes Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield y Ulysses S. Grant (arriba), así como del abolicionista John Brown (abajo).

La historia y los logros de los héroes negros ignorados aparecen en las cuatro esquinas. Arriba, las escenas destacan los aportes económicos de los trabajadores esclavizados y los aportes militares de las Tropas de Color de EE.UU. Abajo, los recién liberados se regocijan ante la Proclama de Emancipación y los niños se preparan para la ciudadanía gracias a la educación pública.

Credit Line

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

1881

Object number

NPG.2009.56

Restrictions & Rights

CC0

Type

Print

Medium

Hand-colored chromolithograph on paper

Dimensions

Sheet: 55.9 × 74.5 cm (22 × 29 5/16")

See more items in

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Exhibition

2025 Summer Rotations

On View

NPG, East Gallery 123

National Portrait Gallery

Topic

Printed Material\Book

Weapon\Gun

Interior\Classroom

Exterior\Landscape\Battleground

Nature & Environment\Animal\Horse

Home Furnishings\Furniture\Desk

Printed Material\Map

Symbols & Motifs\Flag

Home Furnishings\Globe

Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Bowtie

Nature & Environment\Animal\Bird\Eagle

Nature & Environment\Plant\Wreath\Laurel wreath

Human Figures\Soldier

Human Figures\Soldier

Symbols & Motifs\Banner

Poster

Vehicle\Covered wagon

Human Figures\Enslaved person

Symbols & Motifs\Cornucopia

Nature & Environment\Smoke

Exterior\Agricultural\Cotton field

Symbols & Motifs\Cartouche

Hiram Rhoades Revels: Male

Hiram Rhoades Revels: Politics and Government\Government official\US Senator\Mississippi

Hiram Rhoades Revels: Religion and Spirituality\Clergy\Pastor

Hiram Rhoades Revels: Politics and Government\Government official\State Senator\Mississippi

Frederick Douglass: Male

Frederick Douglass: Arts and Culture\Literature\Writer

Frederick Douglass: Arts and Culture\Education and Scholarship\Educator\Lecturer

Frederick Douglass: Arts and Culture\Journalism and Media\Newspaper publisher

Frederick Douglass: Politics and Government\Diplomat\Minister

Frederick Douglass: Social Welfare and Reform\Reformer\Social reformer\Civil rights activist\Abolitionist

Frederick Douglass: Law and Crime\Enslaved person

Blanche Kelso Bruce: Male

Blanche Kelso Bruce: Politics and Government\Government official\US Senator

John Roy Lynch: Male

John Roy Lynch: Law and Crime\Lawyer

John Roy Lynch: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer

John Roy Lynch: Business and Finance\Natural resources commerce\Agriculturist\Farmer

John Roy Lynch: Politics and Government\Government official\US Congressman\Mississippi

John Roy Lynch: Arts and Culture\Visual Arts\Artist\Photographer

John Roy Lynch: Politics and Government\Government official\State Legislator\Mississippi

John Roy Lynch: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Real estate agent

John Roy Lynch: Law and Crime\Justice of the Peace

John Roy Lynch: Law and Crime\Enslaved person

John Brown: Male

John Brown: Social Welfare and Reform\Reformer\Social reformer\Civil rights activist\Abolitionist

Joseph Hayne Rainey: Male

Joseph Hayne Rainey: Politics and Government\Government official\US Congressman\South Carolina

Robert Smalls: Male

Robert Smalls: Politics and Government\Government official\State Legislator\South Carolina

Robert Smalls: Politics and Government\Government official\US Congressman\South Carolina

Robert Smalls: Politics and Government\Government official\State Senator\South Carolina

Charles Edmund Nash: Male

Charles Edmund Nash: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Union Army

Charles Edmund Nash: Politics and Government\Government official\State Legislator\Louisiana

Portrait

Record ID

npg_NPG.2009.56

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm43ec6539e-938e-463f-ae6c-f0be8ba22f89