References:

African Slaves or Exotic Others in the European Renaissance

By: Shanisha Davis, HUM 2230, Poloma Rodriguez

Earle, T. F., and K. J. P. Lowe. Black Africans in

Renaissance Europe. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge UP,
2005. Print.
Erickson, Peter. "REPRESENTATIONS OF BLACKS AND
BLACKNESS IN THE RENAISSANCE."
Www.martinsvianna.net. N.P., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2012.
Hornsby, Alton, Jr., ed. Africans in Europe Prior to the
Atlantic Slave Trade. A Companion to African American
History. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2005. N. Pag. Print.
Kov, Markta. "Frontiers of Race, Frontiers of
Freedom: The Fabrication of The Negro Slave in Early
Modern European Discourse1." Www.cliohworld.net. N.P.,
n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2012.

Religious views:

Most of the black Africans transported from West African

were Muslim. This was a religious problem towards the
slaves because they had to convert to Christianity.

Introduction:

Black Slaves where considered exotic others in t he

Renaissance. However, other sources see them as more
than exotic. I will approach how the slaves influenced the
art we studied in class. Also, the literature and the influence
they had during the centuries in Europe.

Story of the Magi:

1
The Atlantic Slave Trade:

The first Africans were brought to Portugal from West Africa in

the 1440s by the Portuguese. Later on black Africans were
transported to Portugal, and to other European cities and
countries, for example: Florence, Venice, and England.

Representations of blacks are common in religious art. The

story of the Magi is an example of how the slaves contributed to
the religion. The Black Magus was an king in Africa who came
down from his throne and brought his wealth and power to the
feet of Christ the child. During the Renaissance the story of the
African King appeared in many versions of the Adoration of the
Magi.

Stereotyping:

Caucasian Europeans were known as the norm or civilized

group. In contrast, the African slaves were known as the noncivilized race, because of their behavior, skin color, language, and
etc.. Most African slaves fell into the custom living of a civilized
European. For example: dressing, and changing their behavior.
These black Africans, were known as a Honorary Europeans.

Possession of a Black Slave:

Skin Color:

Skin color plays a big role in stereotyping during the

Renaissance. It was hard for the black slaves to disappear
from their new surroundings. The new color of skin introduced
to the European wasnt only hard for them to adapt to, but also
for the Africans. Many negations of the color black were
introduced to the black slaves. The color black was associated
with the Devil. From this the African slaves were known as evil
or as devil worshipers.

Possession of an African slave was not only for labor but to

show the social status and wealth of the family name. Black
servants had largely an ornamental function.

The Camera Picta:

The Camera Picta is a fresco painted by Andrea Mantegna in 1465-74The picture shows an
exotic bird called an peacock, across from a black male slave. The two beings across from each
other show the relation they both share, which is the name exotic other. African slaves were
known as exotic or unusual because of their skin color. In comparison, the peacock is known as
an exotic creature because of the various colors on its feathers. Both of them are used in
paintings to bring contrast from the lightening to darkness either by the complexion of skin, or
various colors of feathers.

Lavish Clothing for an

African slave:

Slaves owned by wealthy families were

dressed up in the most expensive clothes and
jewels. This showed the wealth and power the
family had in their community.