BIRKBECK'S BIG IDEAS - THE ART OF COMPENSATION: SLAVERY AND BRITISH CULTURE (STRATFORD)
When:
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Venue:
University Square Stratford Campus
No booking required
JOIN US FOR ANOTHER BIRKBECK'S BIG IDEAS IN STRATFORD AND COME PREPARED FOR INTERESTING DISCUSSION AND FASCINATING RESEARCH!
Birkbeck's Big Ideas is a series of thought provoking FREE events, designed to inspire and bring world class Birkbeck academics to the local community, with this latest installment from Dr Sarah Thomas, Lecturer in Museum Studies and History of Art, at the Department of History of Art, Birkbeck, University of London.
Between the abolition of the slave trade in 1807 and emancipation in 1833, Britain's 'West India merchants' (as slave-owners were euphemistically known) made more profits from the violent coercion of plantation slaves than they had over the previous two centuries. Following emancipation £20 million pounds was paid by the British government to former slave-owners across the empire to compensate for their loss of income.Given such extraordinary wealth it is perhaps not surprising that slave-owners were also significant connoisseurs, art collectors, patrons and founders of key art museums across Britain.
This talk examines the powerful impact of slave-ownership on some of Britain's key cultural institutions, allowing us to understand how the brutal system of colonial slavery infused the world of aesthetics and taste during the first half of the nineteenth century. It shows that the politics of empire played a key role in the emergence of the public art museum, as the unprecedented wealth generated by colonial slavery was directed towards the large-scale acquisition of Old Master and British paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures. It highlights the important if hidden legacy of slave-ownership on Britain's art museums today.
The event is FREE and open to all, but please note that seating is allocated on a first come first served basis. Registration and refreshments start at 6pm and the talk will commence at 6.15pm.
We look forward to welcoming you to this Birkbeck's Big Ideas event!
Contact name:
Widening Access Team