Friedrich Shulz, The Slave Market

American slave markets regularly appeared in etchings, engravings, and paintings in the nineteenth century. Several images were produced by European artists traveling through the South. The German artist Friedrich Shulz (1825–1875) visited the United States in the 1840s or 1850s and painted this image of a slave auction. The beautiful colors and rich tones belie the tragic scenes taking place in this southern market.