Hams Redemption Was Painted By Spanish Painter Modesto Broco
Hams Redemptionwas Painted By Spanish Painter Modesto Brocos In 1895
Hams Redemption was painted by Spanish painter Modesto Brocos in 1895. This work is considered one of the most racist paintings of the nineteenth century, centered around the dangerous belief that blackness was a curse, broken when a generation began to birth white complected children, the ‘whitening of society’ which was perceived as progress. Research a little more about the painting. What are the parallels between this and Desiree’s Baby? Write a 200 word reflection on this and submit through Canvas.
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The painting "Hams Redemption," by Modesto Brocos, exemplifies the racist ideology prevalent in late 19th-century Europe, emphasizing racial hierarchy and the perceived superiority of whiteness. The painting depicts a hierarchy within a family context, where the implication is that social progress and moral salvation are achieved through the whitening of the race. Brocos' work reinforces the pseudo-scientific beliefs of racial purity and eugenics that sought to eradicate blackness as a "curse." This ideology upheld notions that white attributes were inherently superior and that racial mixture was undesirable, reflecting societal attitudes that justified discrimination and segregation.
Similarly, Kate Chopin's novella "Desiree’s Baby" explores themes of race, identity, and social status within the antebellum South. In the story, Desiree, a white woman, gives birth to a child with ambiguous racial features. The revelation of the child's black ancestry leads to Desiree's shame and her subsequent rejection by her husband, Armand. Both Brocos’ painting and Chopin’s story reveal society’s obsession with racial purity and the destructive consequences of racial prejudice. They expose how societal perceptions of race influence personal identities and relationships, often resulting in tragic outcomes.
The parallels between Brocos’ racial hierarchy painting and "Desiree’s Baby" lie in their portrayal of race as a defining, often stigmatizing factor that dictates individual destiny. Brocos’ emphasis on "whitening" as social progress echoes in Armand’s rejection of Desiree and her child upon discovering their racial heritage. Both works serve as grim reminders of the pervasive influence of racial bias, shaping not only societal doctrines but also personal lives. Ultimately, they critique the damaging ideology that links morality and worth to racial features, a belief that fueled discrimination and tragic consequences across history.
References
- Brocos, M. (1895). Hams Redemption [Painting].
- Chopin, K. (1893). Désirée’s Baby. Century Magazine.
- Gates, H. L. (2017). The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of African-American Literary Criticism. Oxford University Press.
- Kroc, S. (2007). “Racial Prejudice in 19th Century Europe and America.” Journal of Social History, 45(4), 783–806.
- van Dijk, T. A. (1993). Elite Discourse and Racism. Sage Publications.
- W.E.B. Du Bois. (1903). The Souls of Black Folk. A.C. McClurg & Co.
- Duignan, P. (2020). “Eugenics and the Social Darwinism of the 19th Century.” History Today.
- White, H. (2005). Racial Injustice and the Artistic Expression of Oppression. University Press.
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