A painting from 1800 depicts a Black woman with a proud and mysterious gaze. Her portrait, created by artist Marie-Guilhemine Benoist, raises many questions. Who was she? How did she live?
Art historian Anne Lafont sought answers. In her book, she invites us to see this painting in a new way. She explores the history of free Black women and how they were portrayed in art at the time. Perhaps this woman was a formerly enslaved person who had gained her freedom.
Through this fascinating investigation, Anne Lafont shows us that art is not just about beauty—it also tells deep and often forgotten stories.
