The Savages Let Loose, or the Cruel Fate of the Loyalists 1783

This etching, "The Savages Let Loose," was created by William Humphrey around the time of the American Revolution. It uses the readily available and reproducible medium of printmaking to make a political statement. The depicted scene portrays loyalists being brutalized by Native Americans. It’s a deliberately inflammatory piece, meant to stir up outrage. What I find interesting is the way Humphrey evokes the idea of savagery. He relies on stereotypes of indigenous people as violent and uncivilized. Yet, the print itself is made possible by highly civilized means: the division of labor, the printing press, and the distribution networks of 18th-century capitalism. It’s a powerful example of how materials and methods can be used to reinforce social biases, and how easily the tools of progress can be turned to ends that are anything but.