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Picturing Mulberry Row’s People

What did enslaved people look like?  No likenesses of Monticello’s enslaved people made before Jefferson’s death in 1826 are known, although seven photographs made after 1843 have been found. These drawings and paintings suggest the individuality, dress, and activities of the men, women, and children of Plantation America, including Monticello.


<strong>At Sunbury</strong> by William Berryman, 1808–15.<strong>Nurses and Child</strong> by William Berryman, 1808–15.

<strong>La Duchesse</strong> by William Berryman, 1808–1815.<strong>Digging Corn Holes</strong> by William Berryman, 1808–1815.

<strong>Field Hands Plant Corn</strong> by William Berryman, c. 1808–1815.<strong>West India Scenery</strong> by Richard Bridgens, 1836.

<strong>Head of Negro man wearing cap, front and back view</strong> by William Berryman, 1808–1815.<strong>Jemmie (?)</strong> by William Berryman, 1808–15.

<strong>[Eight small drawings, including portrait, figure studies, carts]</strong>, detail, by William Berryman, 1808–1815.<strong>[Eight small drawings, including portrait, figure studies, carts]</strong>, detail, by William Berryman, 1808–1815.

<strong>[Eight small drawings, including portrait, figure studies, carts]</strong>, detail, by William Berryman, 1808–1815.<strong>[Eight small drawings, including portrait, figure studies, carts]</strong>, detail, by William Berryman, 1808–1815.

<strong>[Eight small drawings, including portrait, figure studies, carts]</strong>, detail, by William Berryman, 1808–1815.<strong>[Eight small drawings, including portrait, figure studies, carts]</strong>, detail, by William Berryman, 1808–1815.

<strong>Head of Negro</strong> by John Singleton Copley, 1777–1778.<strong>[Eight small drawings, including portrait, figure studies, carts]</strong>, detail, by William Berryman, 1808–1815.

<strong>Lynchburg negro dance, August 18th, 1853</strong> by Lewis Miller, 1853–1867.<strong>The Old Plantation</strong> attributed to John Rose, 1785–1790.<br />

<strong>Miss Bremie Jones</strong> attributed to John Rose, 1785–1787.<strong>[Eight small drawings, including portrait, figure studies, carts]</strong>, detail, by William Berryman, 1808–1815.