Martin Robison Delany

Object Details

Artist

Unidentified Artist

Copy after

Abraham Bogardus, 29 Nov 1822 - 22 Mar 1908

Publisher

John Smith, active 1860 - 1870

Sitter

Martin Robison Delany, 6 May 1812 - 25 Jan 1885

Exhibition Label

Born Charles Town, Virginia (now West Virginia)

Convinced that African Americans would never be accepted on equal terms in the United States, the physician, newspaper editor, and antislavery activist Martin Delany moved to Canada in 1856 while pursuing plans to emigrate to West Africa. With the outbreak of the Civil War, however, Delany saw an opportunity to fight for equality and respect in the country of his birth.

Delany’s commission as a major in the Union army came too late for him to command troops on the battlefield, but this lithograph, based on the photograph displayed at left, advanced his goal of demonstrating the patriotism and competence of Black men. Here, his commanding figure dominates the foreground, framed by an American flag and an oak tree, symbol of strength and endurance. Behind him, a sentry stands at attention in a field of military tents. Popular prints such as this satisfied a growing demand for dignified images of Black leaders.

Nacido en Charles Town, Virginia (hoy Virginia Occidental)

Convencido de que los afroamericanos nunca serían aceptados como iguales en Estados Unidos, el médico, editor de prensa y antiesclavista Martin Delany se mudó a Canadá en 1856 mientras planeaba emigrar a África Occidental. Sin embargo, al estallar la Guerra Civil, Delany vio una oportunidad de luchar por la igualdad y el respeto en su país natal.

Su nombramiento como mayor del ejército de la Unión vino demasiado tarde para que pudiera comandar tropas en el campo de batalla, pero esta litografía, basada en la fotografía que se ve a la izquierda, adelantó su meta de demostrar el patriotismo y la aptitud de los hombres negros. Su figura imponente domina el primer plano, enmarcada por una bandera estadounidense y un roble, símbolo de fuerza y resistencia. Detrás se ve un Centinela en pose de atención en un campamento. Estampas populares como esta respondían a la creciente demanda de imágenes dignas de los líderes negros.

Credit Line

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

c. 1865

Object number

NPG.76.101

Restrictions & Rights

CC0

Type

Print

Medium

Hand-colored lithograph on paper

Dimensions

Image: 52.2 x 43.8cm (20 9/16 x 17 1/4")

Mat: 76.2 x 61cm (30 x 24")

See more items in

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Location

Currently not on view

National Portrait Gallery

Topic

Costume\Headgear\Military

Weapon\Sword

Architecture\Building\Tent

Exterior\Military Camp

Symbols & Motifs\Flag\National flag\American

Martin Robison Delany: Male

Martin Robison Delany: Arts and Culture\Literature\Writer

Martin Robison Delany: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer

Martin Robison Delany: Medicine and Health\Physician

Martin Robison Delany: Arts and Culture\Journalism and Media\Newspaper publisher

Portrait

Record ID

npg_NPG.76.101

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4f4e19f82-490f-41ed-b2b8-8b67a86a4d10