The Old Plantation
John Rose · 1785
Why it's great
A group of enslaved people gather outdoors on a plantation in South Carolina, where some are dancing and playing music. This watercolor, painted in the 1780s, is one of the earliest pictures of African American life in the colonies. The musical instruments show African traditions that survived. It's an important historical record of enslaved people.
Where to see it
📍 Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art MuseumWilliamsburg, United States
Open in Maps ↗Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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.
John Rose was a painter in the late 1700s who lived in the Colony of South Carolina. His watercolor 'The Old Plantation' is one of the earliest paintings to show the lives of enslaved African Americans. Little else is known about him.
