Black girl, white girl - six portraits modeling equality

 

Miniature, French School, circa 1805.

At actual size.

Ladies Gathering Fruit/Two Society Women, by Stephen Slaughter, circa 1750-65.

The subjects of this portrait and their relationship remain unknown. Highly unusual is the casual intimacy displayed in the graceful gesture of the standing woman's hand resting on the shoulder of her companion. Certainly for people of different races. Especially if we were to assume that the standing figure is a servant. And if we do assume that, how to explain that she is far more richly dressed than the seated woman? The latter's linen is plainest lawn, her jewels only simple pearl earrings and the tiniest brooch. While the former wears a gown trimmed with lace, and her jewels include an elaborate necklace, girandole earrings, and a large brooch worn in her hair. A fascinating painting, with several unanswered/unanswerable questions. 

A Portrait of Two Girls, American School, circa 1820.

English School, circa 1650. Inscribed at top: "I black with white bespott y white with blacke this evil proceeds from thy proud hart then take her: Devill."

Circa 1900.

Dido Elizabeth Belle Lindsay and her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray, by David Martin, circa 1778.

Unlike the subjects of the preceding images, the lives of the two teenagers in this double portrait are well-documented. Wikipedia has detailed and fascinating biographies of both the motherless heiress, Lady Elizabeth Mary Finch-Hatton, née Murray, and of her second cousin, the biracial, illegitimate Dido Elizabeth Belle, "a free black British gentlewoman."