Slaves Waiting for Sale in Virginia, 1852-1853 | Eyre Crowe

Each time I look at this work, I can feel my heart breaking. This view of the domestic slave trade in Virginia was painted by the British artist, Eyre Crowe.  Crowe came to America as an artistic assistant to the novelist, William Makepeace Thackeray.

I have shared this painting at other times. It is an image that could help us face the lived truth of slavery. The auction is just through the door on the left. This line of women, babies, children, and men in their best clothes is moving chair by chair to a fate completely beyond their control. This work shows the stunning, dimensional meaning of a small, flat word we may think we understand until we look at this poignant, meticulous composition by a visiting British artist.

I hope you will spend some time with this image. I hope you will look at these faces. In this scene you can see why protests are necessary and why “Black Lives Matter” is a chant of injustice and confession. These beautiful human beings were property and a commerce was institutionalized around their great value as laborers. They were separated. They were sold. They were dehumanized in countless ways by the white people who owned them. Let me write that again. They were dehumanized in countless ways by the white people who owned them.

As we look at this work, may our prayers be for a true reckoning that has been much too long in coming. O God, please help us push our way through and beyond this indelible stain on all of us and all we hold dear. Please help us move once and for all to liberty and justice for all. Amen.

In faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty