February 11, 2021
Arabella Chapman, pictured above, was a Black music teacher from New York. Images from her family photo albums appear in Framing Identity. // Photograph courtesy of Arabella Chapman carte-de-visite albums (1878-[1890s]), William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan (Finding Aid).With its latest virtual exhibit, the University of Michigan is exploring how 19th century Black Americans used the power of photography to express their identity and grow their communities.
Now available for view online,
Framing Identity: Representations of Empowerment and Resilience in the Black Experience is inspired by Frederick Douglass’ view on picture-making. Often considered the most photographed American of the 19th century, the abolitionist once said that picture-making is the secret to poets, performers, and prophets’ success.