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Slaves Waiting for Sale: Abolitionist Art and the American Slave Trade Paperback – Illustrated, April 11, 2013

by Maurie D. McInnis (Author)

4.7 23 ratings

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In 1853, Eyre Crowe, a young British artist, visited a slave auction in Richmond, Virginia. Harrowed by what he witnessed, he captured the scene in sketches that he would later develop into a series of illustrations and paintings, including the culminating painting, Slaves Waiting for Sale, Richmond, Virginia.

This innovative book uses Crowe’s paintings to explore the texture of the slave trade in Richmond, Charleston, and New Orleans, the evolving iconography of abolitionist art, and the role of visual culture in the transatlantic world of abolitionism. Tracing Crowe’s trajectory from Richmond across the American South and back to London—where his paintings were exhibited just a few weeks after the start of the Civil War—Maurie D. McInnis illuminates not only how his abolitionist art was inspired and made, but also how it influenced the international public’s grasp of slavery in America. With almost 140 illustrations, Slaves Waiting for Sale brings a fresh perspective to the American slave trade and abolitionism as we enter the sesquicentennial of the Civil War.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Maurie D. McInnis is professor in the McIntire Department of Art and associate dean for the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Virginia. She is the author of The Politics of Taste in Antebellum Charleston.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Chicago Press; Reprint edition (April 11, 2013)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 022605506X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0226055060
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.19 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.7 x 6.9 x 9.9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,772,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #24 in Richmond Virginia Travel Books
- #73 in Charleston South Carolina Travel Books
- #500 in U.S. Abolition of Slavery History

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4.7 23 ratings

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Maurie D. McInnis
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travelholic

Definitely not dry and academic

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2012

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You might expect an art historian's book to be full of academic detail, boring even, but this one is fascinating. It evokes the grit, beauty, look, feel--and even smells--of the Antebellum South. In many ways it reads like a novel, unfolding a British artist's first look at a Southern slave auction, and how his experience affected his career writings and paintings. The gorgeous cover is the British artist's best known painting,depicting a group of slaves awaiting their sale and fate. This cover is an evocative clue to what the reader will find inside. Professor McInnis' considerable research is presented nicely, both the text and the many line drawings, maps and art reproductions. The best compliment I can pay this book is: I learned a lot and enjoyed that learning word by word.

7 people found this helpful

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Frohman Johnson

More than an art history

Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2012

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"Slaves Waiting For Sale" is an altogether arresting book. For anyone interested in the African American experience, this book relates the most crucial and essential moments of that experience.
More than an art history--although clever and thorough if that were its only purpose--the author provides both detail and context of the slave trade culture. Her narrative flows smoothly even when she peppers it with surprising insights.
Depending on the point of view you adopt in reading it, there is plenty to be angry about and continue to be angry about. Or, you can begin to understand why change has taken wars and so much time and feel relief that we have come so far.

10 people found this helpful

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Diana Loring

A Wonderful Way to Learn Our American History

Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2013

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The material presented in this book is sadly lacking in many of our schools. It's glossed over in generalities...not here.
This is a book worth having in your library if you have an interest in learning the good, the bad and the ugly.
We cannot fix today if we fail to educate ourselves and our young about yesterday.

Denial is the parent of stagnation and this book lays a foundation for critical thinking and a deeper understanding of where we came from as a nation.

2 people found this helpful

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Robin L

fascinating

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2013

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I didn't know what to expect with this, but it was fascinating. It approaches slavery and the slave trade from an entirely new angle I have never seen before. The author points out the symbolism in the paintings which you would miss on a casual look. It really humanizes the poor souls who went through this. If you have any interest in art and/or the slavery issuel, this book is for you.

One person found this helpful

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AEC

Unusual and excellent view of slavery in America

Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2014

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An excellent historical book that brings in art as part of the history of the slave trade in the US. We read a lot about slavery but little about the "internal" buying and selling of slaves. This book is an eye opener.

2 people found this helpful

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Patricia Trusselle

"Slaves Waiting for Sale."

Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2012

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"Slaves Waiting for Sale" was a very tragic descripton
of that period of American history. Our 3rd president
Thomas Jefferson while decrying slavery owend many on his planation at Monticello.
In this book the pictures on the faces of those waiting were very sad.

6 people found this helpful

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Karol Kucinski

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2017

great book

Good sale and very fast shipping. Will buy again.