Portraits, People and Abolition: A Journey through the National Portrait Gallery Collection
2007 marked the 200th anniversary of the passing of the Act of Parliament that legally ended British involvement in the trading of African people to serve as slave labour in the Americas, the West Indies and Europe.
To commemorate the anniversary, a newly commissioned trail through the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection, written by cultural geographer Dr Caroline Bressey and a special programme of events will explore different aspects of the Trade and its legacy.
The trail through the Gallery’s Collection highlighted key individuals, ranging from Elizabeth I to William Wilberforce who were involved in slavery and the abolition of the slave trade.
Portraits, People and the Abolition of the Slave Trade: A Journey through the National Portrait Gallery Collection
17 March–22 July, Main Galleries
A specially commissioned Trail that runs throughout the Gallery highlighting portraits of key individuals, ranging from Elizabeth I to William Wilberforce, who have been linked to the slave trade and its abolition.
These portraits include individuals who invested in the trade, or who owned slaves and supported slavery, as well as images of slaves themselves and of people who were prominent in the movement to abolish the trade.
The Trail ends with images and comments from people like Aidan McQuade, Director of Anti-Slavery International, who are fighting to stop slavery today.
For information about the Gallery’s programme of related talks, music, family activities and film see www.npg.org.uk/abolition
The British Slave Trade: Abolition, Parliament & People
23 May–23 September, Westminster Hall
This exhibition tells the story of the pressures and events, at home and abroad, which influenced Parliament’s abolition of the British slave trade in 1807.
The Act itself is displayed along petitions sent to Parliament by the
public and Thomas Clarkson’s African Box which he used on his abolition tours along with other important exhibits which bring this remarkable story to life.
Please check the website for opening times at www.parliament.uk/slavetrade
Image Credits
Louise de Kéroualle, The Duchess of Portsmouth Pierre Mignard (1682)© National Portrait Gallery, London
The Anti-Slavery Society Convention Benjamin Robert Haydon© National Portrait Gallery, London