A Ride for Liberty: The Fugitive Slaves

Why it's great

A family of enslaved people flee on horseback in the early light of the Civil War. Eastman Johnson painted it in 1862 after seeing such an escape, and it is one of the first great American paintings to show the bravery of people escaping slavery.

🏛️ Part of history

Slavery & the Fight for Freedom (1780–1865) — A family of enslaved people flee on horseback in the early light of the Civil War.

Where to see it

📍 Location not recordedWe couldn't confirm where it hangs today. Museums sometimes move or lend paintings, so check the museum's website before you travel.

Hang it on your wall

⬇ Hi-res download 5,449 × 4,528 px · 24.7 megapixels · prints up to about 18 × 15 inches at 300 dpi File page & license ↗

Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:

💵 Budget Etsy ↗ Posters and simple prints from small sellers, usually the lowest prices. 🖼️ Mid-range Fine Art America ↗ Good printing on paper, canvas or metal, made to order, with framing options. 🏛️ High-end Meisterdrucke ↗ Museum-grade giclée prints on archival paper or canvas, the closest to the real thing.

These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.

About the artist

Eastman Johnson

1824–1906 · born in Lovell · died in New York City

Eastman Johnson was an American painter born in Lovell, Maine, in 1824. He studied in Düsseldorf and The Hague, lived in New York and painted warm scenes of American life, including pictures related to the Civil War. He died in New York City in 1906.