Liverpool’s International Slavery Museum has used £50,000 of National Lottery funding to help it acquire its first painting.

‘Am Not I A Man and a Brother’ depicts an African slave bound in chains and set against the backdrop of a Caribbean sugar plantation.

Dating from around 1800, the painting is based on a design commissioned by the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade on 5 July 1787, and is considered to be one of the first instances of a logo designed for a political cause, and used famously by the potter Josiah Wedgwood.

Described as a “significant acquisition for the UK”, it’s only the second known painting to exist featuring this motif – the only other being ‘The Kneeling Slave’ at the Wilberforce House Museum in Hull.

Stephen Carl-Lokko, curator at the International Slavery Museum, says: “This acquisition represents the first painting ever to be acquired by National Museums Liverpool to depict the powerful and resonant iconography of abolition and we are very pleased to add it to our collection.

“Resistance is a key part of the history we bring to life in the International Slavery Museum and abolition is a very important part of this wider narrative.

“The painting is a remarkable surviving product of the early phase of the British movement to abolish the transatlantic slave trade during the 18th and 19th Century.”

Following restoration and cleaning work, the painting will go on display at the International Slavery Museum towards the end of 2018.

Related posts:

Festive light display to illuminate Albert Dock Albert Dock’s 175th anniversary plans revealed Full programme revealed for weekend’s Vintage on the Dock Iconic Tracey Emin work set for first northern show in Liverpool Best places to watch ‘River of Light’ fireworks display revealed Call to vote for International Slavery Museum in National Lottery Awards