Enslaved Men Digging Trenches

anonymous, c. 1850

Suriname consists largely of impenetrable forests. In order to establish a plantation, first a stretch of forest had to be reclaimed and trenches for drainage and transport dug. In the scorching heat, men were forced to dig broad canals and narrow trenches using nothing more than a shovel. This was incredibly hard work, which is still cited in the oral traditions as one of the principal reasons for fleeing a plantation.

  • Artwork typeaquarel
  • Object numberNG-2013-22-19
  • Dimensionsheight 32.5 cm x width 25.4 cm
  • Physical characteristicsaquarel

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Enslaved Men Digging Trenches

  • Object type

  • Object number

    NG-2013-22-19

  • Description

    Twee mannen in slavernij graven een trens (afwateringskanaal) op een Surinaamse plantage, in het verschiet ligt het huis van de plantageeigenaar en een veld waar nog meer tot slaaf gemaakte mannen en vrouwen werken.

Creation

  • Creation

    draftsman (artist): anonymous, Paramaribo (stad)

  • Dating

    c. 1850

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    aquarel

  • Dimensions

    height 32.5 cm x width 25.4 cm

This work is about

  • Subject

  • Place

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Purchased with the support of the Johan Huizinga Fonds/Rijksmuseum Fonds

  • Acquisition

    purchase 2013-12-20

  • Copyright

    Public domain

Documentation

Persistent URL

Questions?

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