Picturing History
Photo: Collection of Greg French, 1841
Any time is a great time to visit the Museum of African American History, yet with February being Black History Month, now is a particularly poignant moment to do so. One current highlight on display is the temporary exhibit Picturing Frederick Douglass: The Most Photographed American of the 19th Century. Douglass, an escaped slave who became one of the greatest anti-slavery activists of his era, early on adopted the power of photography to convey the image of a dignified black man to the American public, having many portraits taken from 1841 up until his death in 1895. Based on an acclaimed 2015 book, the show—which along with historic photographs also features handwritten letters, books and interactive displays—serves as a visual chronicle of Douglass’ storied life.