Free Negroes in the North (from Confederate War Etchings) 1861 - 1863

Adalbert John Volck made this etching, "Free Negroes in the North," during the American Civil War. The medium itself is key to understanding Volck’s message. Etchings, unlike unique paintings, are made to be reproduced. This one was part of a series meant to stoke pro-Confederate sentiment. The etched lines, though delicate, allowed Volck to create many copies, spreading his propaganda widely. Look closely, and you'll see the image depicts Volck's prejudiced view of the North, showing free African Americans as impoverished and exploited. Volck employed a skilled, labor-intensive printing process to convey these disparaging messages about labor and race, and the economic systems tied to them. Considering the work involved, and the intention behind it, this etching challenges our notions of artistry. It reminds us that the meaning of an artwork is not just in its appearance, but in the social and political context of its making.