Slavery Pictures

Thomas Nast Slavery Pictures

Thomas Nast was a staunch Abraham Lincoln supporter, defender of the Union Cause in the Civil War, and strong opponent to Slavery.  Nast used his art to show the Nation a picture of how things could be.  He created the artwork below on the topic of Slavery, in the days that Slavery was still a thriving institution in our land.  Thomas Nast's dramatic illustrations helped our Nation understand the moral outrage of slavery. The images capture the important events related to Slavery in the 1860's. The collection below contains all Slavery Artwork created by Thomas Nast during the Civil War years. Each leaf is original, and over 135 years old. This artwork was critical in helping to lead our Nation out of the Corrupt and Bankrupt Institution of Slavery, and onto a path of freedom and equality for all men.

Abraham Lincoln and Emancipated Slaves, April 1865

Richmond Virginia, the Confederate Capitol fell on April 3, 1865. The following day, April 4, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln went to the fallen city. Throngs of slaves were in the streets, celebrating their first day of freedom, and welcoming Lincoln. Thomas Nast captured this historic event with his drawing presented at your right.  This is perhaps the best portrait of Mr. Lincoln ever produced.  It shows that while Lincoln was to tragically die 10 days later, he did, if only briefly, get to see the fruit of his leadership and resolve.  He was able to see the grateful tears of the emancipated, and hear their cheers of appreciation. There is a fascinating story about this day, so please click on the image for the full story of the day that Abraham Lincoln walked the streets of the fallen Rebel Capitol.

Abraham Lincoln Entering Richmond Virginia

1864 Presidential Campaign

By 1864, the Country had grown weary of the long and bloody Civil War.  Many began to think that the war was not worth it, and that the price of freedom was too great. George McClellan was running for President on the Democratic Party Platform of "Compromise With the South", which in effect meant "Let them Keep their Slaves if it will End the War". Abraham Lincoln was sinking fast, but then Thomas Nast created this illustration which changed everything. Read the fascinating Story of this Powerful Illustration, and how it helped swing the 1864 election.

Thomas Nast's "1864 Presidential Campaign" Illustration

Emancipated Slave Family

This 1863 Thomas Nast drawing shows a slave family reading word of the Emancipation Proclamation.  The image presents the moment of Joy, as the slave family realizes for the first time that they are free.  This picture of the slave family achieving their freedom is a classic Thomas Nast drawing, and shows his staunch support for Abraham Lincoln, and the emancipation movement.

Thomas Nast's Drawing of Emancipated Slaves

Southern Plantation Slaves Being Freed

This Original 1863 Thomas Nast drawing shows Union troops arriving at a Southern Plantation, and the ensuing emancipation of plantation slaves there. There is an incredible story associated with this drawing, so please be sure to click on the image for an enlargement of the picture and the full story on the illustration.

Thomas Nast Illustration of Slaves Being Emancipated on a Southern Plantation

Charge of the Buffalo Soldiers, 1863

In 1863, the Union Army began using emancipated slaves and other free black men as soldiers.  This was a very controversial move, and one that did not enjoy much support in the North, or among the white troops.  Thomas Nast, a visionary of his day, saw beyond the biases of the day, and saw that integration of blacks into the Union Army was a good thing.  He created the illustration to your right to show that Negro Buffalo Soldiers could fight bravely alongside white troops.  The image appeared in an 1863 edition of Harper's Weekly.

Thomas Nast's Original 1863 "Charge of the Buffalo Soldiers" Drawing

Runaway Slaves, 1863

This 1863 Thomas Nast illustration shows exiled Southern families, White and Black, heading North, looking for refuge in the Union.  The illustration is a classic Nast.   A group of Blacks can be seen, no doubt slaves looking for their freedom, and escaping the South with a White Family.

Thomas Nast's Original 1863 "Runaway Slaves" Drawing  

Injured Negro Soldier, 1865

This 1865 Thomas Nast illustration shows Columbia and an injured Negro Soldier.  The black man has lost his leg while serving as a Union Soldier.  He is pictured in his Union Uniform, and he has his cap in his hand.  Standing next to him is Columbia.

This is a classic Thomas Nast illustration, making the point that the freed slaves had served bravely in the Civil War. Nast had played a critical role in helping Lincoln get elected to a second term, and in building public support for the Emancipation of the Slaves.  In this touching illustration, Nast is going a step further, and suggesting both Citizenship, and the right to vote for Emancipated Slaves.

Thomas Nast's Original 1865 "Injured Black Soldier" Drawing

Escaping Slaves, 1863

This 1863 Thomas Nast illustration shows Escaping Slaves seeking refuge from Union Troops.  A multitude of slaves is seen approaching the Union Lines.  In one case a young black man can be seen carrying an older, frail black man to freedom.

This Thomas Nast piece demonstrates Nast's desire to humanize the slaves.  Images such as these would have been considered shocking at the time they were created.

Thomas Nast's Original 1863 "Escaping Slaves" Drawing

The images above present an eye-witness view of the institution of slavery.  It is clear from this slavery artwork, that Thomas Nast was a strong opponent of Slavery.  His images helped the country realize the brutality of slavery, helped get Abraham Lincoln elected to a second term, and helped accelerate the end to the institution of slavery in this Nation.

We created this Thomas Nast Gallery to digitally preserve Nast's Slavery work for posterity.  We are now making the original, 140 year old leafs available for a  $250 contribution to this site.  The proceeds from the sale of the material will enable us to continue to expand the free educational material featured on our site.  Please contact paul@sonofthesouth.net if you are interested in acquiring one of these original leafs.