Details
Creator Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857.
Contributor Childs, Cephas Grier, 1793-1871, printer.
Title Sketches of character. Plate 2. At home. Plate 3. Abroad. [graphic] / Drawn on stone by E. W. Clay; C. G. Childs lithy.
Publisher Philadelphia : Published by E. W. Clay. No. 185. Chestnut Street
Publisher PA. Philadelphia. 1830
Date January 12, 1830
Physical Description 1 print : hand-colored lithograph ;; sheet 24 x 36 cm (9.25 x 14 in.)
Description Racist caricature contrasting two scenes of the same African American couple "At Home" and "Abroad." The "At Home" scene depicts the couple in their kitchen with a wood floor washing dishes together. In the right, the woman, attired in a kerchief, short sleeves, apron, skirt, and slip on shoes, is bent over and washes the dishes in a tub on a stool. In the left, the man, barefoot and attired in a shirt with the sleeves rolled up, vest, bow tie, and pants, sits on the edge of a butcherblock table on top of which a pile of dishes rests, and dries one. The man and woman look at each other. In the background, on the wall, cooking utensils, pots and pans, and a slab of bacon hang from hooks underneath a shelf lined with cook and dishware near a large woven basket, a cupboard, and a small shelf with two bottles. The "Abroad" scene depicts the pair well attired and about to promenade down a city street, possibly Philadelphia and from near Independence Hall. The woman wears a large plumed bonnet with a veil and a ribbon tied under her chin, a blue cape over a dress giving her the appearance of a bell, and gaiter-like shoes. Her husband wears spectacles, a top hat, white shirt, yellow vest, black waist coat, grey pants, and yellow gloves. He holds a walking cane down toward the ground in his left hand and his other arm out to his companion. A guardhouse is seen in the right and the edge of a building (possibly Independence Hall) in the left. Cityscape is visible in the distant background. Figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features and their skin tone is depicted in brown hand coloring.
Is referenced by Wainwright 337
Notes Title and date from item.
Copy right secured.
Lib. Company. Annual Report, 2013, p. 51.
Purchased with the Davida T. Deutsch African American History Fund.
RVCDC
Description revised 2022.
Access points revised 2022.
Subject African Americans -- Caricatures and cartoons -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
African American men -- Caricatures and cartoons -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
African American men -- Clothing & dress -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
African American women -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
African American women -- Caricatures and cartoons -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
African American women -- Clothing & dress -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Couples -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Dishwashing -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Kitchens -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Middle class -- Clothing & dress -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Racism in popular culture.
Travel.
Genre Caricatures -- 1830-1840.
Lithographs -- Hand-colored -- 1830-1840.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [P.2013.74]
Accession number P.2013.74