The freedman's bureau 1868

This lithograph, made by Currier and Ives, presents a snapshot of post-Civil War America. The printmaking process allowed for mass production, making images like these widely accessible. Consider the materiality of the print itself: ink transferred onto paper, a relatively inexpensive process that democratized image distribution. The depiction of an African American man playing the flute in a humble setting raises questions about labor, class, and cultural representation. Is the man’s leisure time a symbol of newfound freedom, or a perpetuation of stereotypes? The tools of music-making, like the violin hanging on the wall, imply an aspiration towards the fine arts, while his open drawer suggests a more practical concern for everyday life. The image invites us to consider the complex relationship between art, commerce, and social commentary, challenging the traditional boundaries between fine art and craft.