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Here's how these images represent Douglass and his Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass:

The Power of Self-Representation

This formal portrait style reflects Douglass's deliberate use of photography as a tool of resistance and self-definition. In an era when enslaved and formerly enslaved people were denied humanity and agency, Douglass became one of the most photographed Americans of the 19th century. He understood that controlling his own image was an act of defiance against the dehumanizing caricatures used to justify slavery.

The formal attire—the tailored suit, crisp white collar, and bow tie—directly contradicts the degrading stereotypes of his time. This dignified presentation embodies a central theme of the Narrative: Douglass's journey from being treated as property to claiming his full humanity and intellectual authority. His serious, unwavering gaze meets the viewer directly, asserting his presence as an equal, a thinker, and a witness to truth.

The photograph also represents Douglass as both writer and orator. His composed expression suggests the measured eloquence of his prose, while the intensity in his eyes hints at the passionate oratory that moved audiences across America and Europe. This is the face of a man who wrote, "You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man."

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So this photo of Frederick Douglass is actually an edited/composite image, with a layered background behind him instead of a plain studio backdrop. But even with the edits, Douglass is still the main focus. He's sitting there all serious, dressed formally, giving that calm but powerful energy.

I like this image because it connects to Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass; he’s basically all about controlling his own story and not letting slavery define him. In his narrative, he learns to read and write and uses that to claim his freedom and identity. And in this image, even though it’s been digitally “built,” Douglass still comes off very intentional and in control of how he’s being presented.

The edited background lowkey can symbolize how his legacy isn’t just one simple moment - he’s part of a bigger history of struggle, resistance, and freedom. And through it all, he still looks dignified, intelligent, and unbothered in the best way.

Arielle C.

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Illustrated Interviews with Eminent Public Men of Leading Topics of the Day [1879]

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Illustrated Interviews with Eminent Public Men of Leading Topics of the Day [1879]

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I have chosen this illustration of Frederick Douglass for my photo for a plethora of reasons. Primarily that I believe this interpretation of Frederick Douglass is most true to his appearances we see in most of his photographs, so this artist has captured as much as a photograph could if not add more to the imagery. This particular image was from 1879, which would have put Frederick Douglass in his 60s at the time this interview was had. This timing is important for a couple of reasons, with the first being that he has come this far in age- from a boy who was discouraged to read to a man that finds himself well put together, at his desk filled with books and a newspaper in hand. The second reason this timing is significant is because this was made decades before Jim Crow laws were implemented, before artists started to dehumanize black people by exaggerating their features and giving them skin that was either charcoal black or a dark olive green. Yet, here, we get to see a black man depicted as just that: a black man. His features are not drawn in a way that is unflattering, but they are accurate to his appearance, from his nose and eyebrows to his coily hair. If you zoom in, you can see that his skin tone is drawn in a warm color, opposite of the inhuman tones artists of the Jim Crow era will portray. He even has his signature frown he wore to dispel the common defense of the “happy negro”, and yet, even with that frown, his eyes shine with life in this piece. The artist that illustrated this interview captured the essence of Frederick Douglass respectfully, showing him for the wise and prominent figure he was, truly seeing him.

-Mercedes Gonzalez

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I Chose this Photo of Fredrick Douglass in his early adulthood, and I wanted to pic a photo that shows him in a serious, unsmiling and direct way. He wears formal clothing, upright posture and his gaze is strong and determined, which is how he is presenting himself in the book. i think this photo aligns with the book the most because it shows a man who is refusing to be defined by slavery and instead is defining himself to be apart of the world and not just on the outside anymore. another thing i noticed and took notes on in the photo is how this photo changed lot of things during that time, especially because Douglass knew that images could go against racial assumptions as effectively as words.

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I had this thought when I was looking over photos for Douglass, I realized that I had never seen him smile before. Now I understand why, he lived through a very hard life and built himself a reputation. A majority of his photographs with just himself, he is very stoic. You can tell in his gaze that he's seen a lot. I noticed in my findings however, that he only ever smiles when he's with his children. I wanted to include a photo of just himself smiling because while it is very important that we as scholars recognize his joy. True, he is wise and dignified, he is also very layered. I think the photo captures just the simple joys of his life, how he isn't facing directly to the camera, or how it looks like this was taken after catching him in a laugh.

I think it speaks volumes of his character. How even after experiencing one of the cruelest parts of humanity, he's still able to find joy.

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I chose this photo because it was during the middle of his life as he still has streaks of dark hair along with streaks of graying hair. Douglass had already worked hard to get out of slavery. This was taken at the height of his abolitionist career. The image shows how serious he is and how well dressed he is. This expression he is showing goes to show how resilient he is at this time fighting for others, as well as showing how there is still more work to be done by how serious he is. Further, his clothing shows a noble, educated, and more respected man. As the image does show he is aging and still serious that shows just how hard he has been working as an abolitionist leader. The photo shows someone who is still working for others, as someone who also overcame those struggles himself. It goes with my own understanding of Douglass as someone who not only believed in himself but also believed that he still had a voice to fight for others for a better life for everyone.

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I think Frederick Douglass was an incredibly strong and determined man who worked hard to rise out of slavery and prove that being Black did not limit his intelligence or potential. The photo I chose reflects that strength and resilience because of the way he presents himself as confident, composed, and serious. His expression makes him look self-assured and aware of his purpose. Throughout the text, Douglass talks about how education and awareness changed the way he saw himself and the system of slavery. In the image, he doesn’t appear defeated or broken, which challenges the stereotypes often placed on formerly enslaved people. Instead, he looks dignified and powerful, reinforcing his role as a writer. The photograph visually represents the authority and credibility he built after escaping slavery. Overall, the image aligns with my understanding of Douglass as someone who reclaimed his identity and used his voice to fight against injustice.

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I chose this photo simply because it's solely focused on him as an older man. He's already been through slavery, faced a tremendous amount of abuse both physically and mentally, and has escaped. I think just the fact that he's now a grown and free man speaks volumes to his strength. If were to imagine myself in his shoes I don't think I'd have survived. I'm not even sure I would have made it to adulthood. His body and his mind went through so much torment that it's amazing he didn't walk away with some of the conditions people get from trauma now.

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I chose this photo of Douglass because in the photo he is older. I believe it is important to recognize that Douglass survived an escape and was able to live the rest of his life as a free man. Douglass advocated for many enslaved people and proved to the world that he was literate, intelligent, and well-spoken. Douglass loved to be photographed because it allowed him to be represented as a free man who was equal to any white-man, and he wanted to be respected. Overall, this photo represents Douglass's freedom and fight to share the truth about slavery.

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I chose this photo of Frederick Douglass with his grandson, Joseph, who is holding a violin, because I think it perfectly captures Douglass’s sophistication, intellect and dignity. In the photo, they're dressed formally, and Douglass’s posture and expression conveys a sense of confidence and authority. The violin embodies Douglass's story of education as a tool of empowerment. - Haylie Nazario

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Frederick Douglass, oil on canvas by Elisha Livermore Hammond, c. 1844

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Frederick Douglass, oil on canvas by Elisha Livermore Hammond, c. 1844

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I chose this painting of Douglass because I wanted to highlight how important he was at the time. Oil paints were an expensive and important medium, often used by the rich during this time. The fact that somebody painted a portrait with this much care in this medium shows that he was a very important figure to many. There were many at the time who sought to devalue and tear down the former slave, but this shows how resilient and important he was despite that.

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I chose this image of Frederick Douglass as an older gentlemen because I believe it is important to see how he overcame slavery and became an abolitionist helping many blacks reach freedom. It is an image preserving his right to live a long life. The small glimpse of a smile allows us to believe that his life was very fulfilling. I think it is an important romanticized notion that all freed slaves were allotted a long and fulfilling life even though they endured such hardships and forthcomings. Although in the Narrative of Frederick Douglass we only get a glimpse of him during his youth the idea of his life not ending but beginning with freedom is shown in this very image.

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I chose this image of Douglass as I believe it is important to see how young he was before he finally became free. I could not imagine going through all that he did at such a young age. He was 20 years old when he finally escaped and married Anna. I think an important aspect, from the narrative, is that he is unaware of how old he was and of dates in which these event happen. He is unaware until chapter nine when he returns to Auld in March 1832. I believe that this is important because many enslaved people were also left in the dark of their age, birthday, current date, etc. and when he finally learns the date and his age it just adds to his freedom and his rights as a person.

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One of the key things that has stuck out to me about Frederick Douglass was something that we talked about at the very beginning of class. Frederick Douglass deliberatly went out of his way to be photographed as much as possible, but not only that, he wanted to be photographed to look just as professional and put together as a white man would at the time so that he could be seen as just as capable and professional as the white men. To me, this picture encapsulates that desire. When I saw this picture it immediately reminded me of things like presidential protraits and pictures you would see painted of nobility in the Rennassiance. I think it is a picture that does justice to Douglass's desire to be seen as equally competent as every other man, if not more so.

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One of the key things that has stuck out to me about Frederick Douglass was something that we talked about at the very beginning of class. Frederick Douglass deliberatly went out of his way to be photographed as much as possible, but not only that, he wanted to be photographed to look just as professional and put together as a white man would at the time so that he could be seen as just as capable and professional as the white men. To me, this picture encapsulates that desire. When I saw this picture it immediately reminded me of things like presidential protraits and pictures you would see painted of nobility in the Rennassiance. I think it is a picture that does justice to Douglass's desire to be seen as equally competent as every other man, if not more so.

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I chose this photograph of Frederick Douglass sitting down reading due to his desire to learn how to read and write. While reading his narrative, I was in awe over how clever he was in his attempts to learn whether that be challenging the young white boys that he could write better than them or copying his former young enslavers homework, he had an urge to learn. Recently, I've been looking into the power and privilege that comes with being literate. Learning how to read and write allowed Douglass to tell his own story. There was no longer a white man speaking for him. I imagine Douglass used this skill to help other former enslaved black people learn and maybe even help them tell their own stories as well.

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I chose the following image of Frederick Douglass because this was an example of how he was frequently photographed. It is mentioned in a previous video or lecture in the modules that clothing and pose has everything to do with the images of his pictured and saved. Nice clothing, combed or styled hair, and not smiling. These were indications of an individual during this time that was seen highly and taken seriously. Frederick Douglass is a professional, respectful, and intelligent man and his work and images reflect just that.

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Angie Elias (couldn't edit the original)

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I chose the following image of Frederick Douglass because this was an example of how he was frequently photographed. It is mentioned in a previous video or lecture in the modules that clothing and pose has everything to do with the images of his pictured and saved. Nice clothing, combed or styled hair, and not smiling. These were indications of an individual during this time that was seen highly and taken seriously. Frederick Douglass is a professional, respectful, and intelligent man and his work and images reflect just that.

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Author and orator Frederick Douglass with his second wife, Helen Pitts Douglass (sitting), and her sister Eva Pitts

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I found this picture of Mr. Douglass and his family in the Britannica website, in a descriptive article that detailed his life and legacy. As the prompt says, I selected this photo because it I think it represents Mr. Douglass as formerly enslaved Black man. Like in most of his pictures, he is holding paper (maybe even something writing by him) that solidifies his passion for writing. Next to him is his second sister-in-law Eva Pitts, a woman who is not hesitant to show the closeness she shares with Douglass. I like how in this photo, Mr. Douglass is gently smiling. After living the horrors of enslavement, writing about them, and finding freedom at his own will, he seems fulfill. I also chose this photo because it gives us another aspect of Douglass' life. It may not be as impressive for today's standards, but he got married, twice. That alone gives us a better understanding of how much his life and the world around him was changing.

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My post is "Frederick Douglass and Family'

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I chose this picot of Frederick Douglass because in here he is much younger. I feel like he's often portrayed as an old man. We often forget that older people were young once and this is a nice reminder that Frederick Douglass was young once too. I also like this picture because it's very clear. I don't know if some enhancement tool was used. Possibly? But in here we see a light in his eyes and his hair and beard styled neatly--very dandy like. His suit is fashionable and prim. I would guess he's about....late thirties to early forties here? I'm not sure. There is a certain determination in his face but also some fire in his eyes.

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This is the photo I decided to choose. It depicts Mr. Frederick Douglass with his daughter, Annie. The only one to be known of its kind. What I enjoy the most about this photograph is Frederick Douglass's slight smile. In many of his other photographs, he has a stern, stoic, and sometimes shy look that the camera captures. But while next to his daughter, he let a smile through. I like to think he is especially happy not just as a man who has freed himself from the evil of bondage, but as a man who can fully experience life as a father. Not under any overseer or at the risk of separation from his enslavers, but in a place where liberty is not just an ideal, but a way of life. The fact that he can enjoy this with his daughter is something beyond special.

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Frederick Douglass 1850 Fugitive Slave Law Convention. Angelica Neavez

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Frederick Douglass 1850 Fugitive Slave Law Convention. Angelica Neavez

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I chose this photograph because of Frederick Douglass at the Fugitive Slave Convention in 1850 reveals him as both a formerly enslaved Black man and a powerful orator who used his voice and experience into political resistance. By 1850, Frederick Douglass was no longer the enslaved man who would hide learning to read and write. He has become a leading abolitionist. The Fugitive Slave Convention was held in response to the Fugitive Slave Act, which by law any enslaved person was required to return even from free states. In this image, Douglass looks dignified, collected, and having intellectual authority.

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Dr. Carr- Frederick Douglas on the rise in his mind

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Dr. Carr- Frederick Douglas on the rise in his mind

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I chose this picture because it shows how Frederick was always a slave to his masters but to his own mind he knew what he was doing and learning would take him far in life. Every time Frederick was surrounded by a master or someone in charge he would take notes of what they were saying and also using it at his own advantage. This picture reflects his eyes doing more of the listening than his mouth doing any sort of movement. It also shows how he was boxed in his life that he always chose to think outside the box and this is a perfect life example of that.

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I chose this picture of Douglass because of how it is set up. We see Douglass dressed and put up like a proper gentlemen something that goes against the stereotypes that every slaveholder thought enslaved people would look like. He is also sitting next to a book, which again is seen as wrong for an enslaved person to do. The photo in its entirety shows that yes, he is a person of color, but he is free, a gentleman, well-groomed, and intelligent. In the Narrative, we are told how he thinks with such emotional intelligence and intelligence for the world, and I think that this photo proves that.

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I chose this picture of Douglass in Key West, FL with members of the Haiti Commission because it shows the storied arc of his life in which he worked as an US ambassador to Haiti. The picture also shows the many different circles Douglass moved in and why he experienced racial tensions during his speeches. It also unseats our understanding of formerly enslaved Black people as Douglass traveled all over the world--from Ireland to Britain and back to the United States--to combat slavery.