History Midterm
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School
Brooklyn College, CUNY *
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Course
3005
Subject
History
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
6
Uploaded by JudgeBookSeaLion31
Mary Almas
Part I:
“Sugar Mill at Work”
What is at stake for the author in this text? (What is their GOAL?)
The artist might aim to accurately capture the scene of a sugar mill in operation, conveying the physical environment, the workers, and the machinery involved. Their goal could be to document or represent the reality of sugar production in the West Indies during the time period in which the painting was created.
What is the author’s strategy for accomplishing its goal? (How do they try to convince you?)
The artist may utilize a realistic style and meticulous attention to detail to create an accurate depiction of the sugar mill and its surroundings. By representing the scene, including the machinery, architecture, and workers, they aim to show the viewer in the reality of the setting.
What does the creator of this source value?
The creator may value equity and fairness, as evidenced by their portrayal of the laborers in the sugar mill. Their depiction of the workers could reflect a concern for social justice and a desire to
shed light on the challenges faced by marginalized or exploited communities.
How could you use this source to make an argument of your own?
I could use this source to make an argument of my own by saying that this source is showing how workers were mistreated and how colonialism affected the West Indies since it was created during a period marked by colonial dominance and industrial expansion in the West Indies, the painting depicts a scene of laborers working in a sugar mill.
What patterns or ideas are repeated throughout the readings?
Compared to the “A Surinam Planter in his Morning Dress, 1793” both paintings provide glimpses into the colonial economy of the West Indies. “Sugar Mill at Work” portrays the labor-
intensive process of sugar production within a plantation setting. Similarly, “A Surinam Planter in his Morning Dress” depicts a planter, a figure of authority and wealth, dressed in elaborate attire, suggesting his important role in the plantation-based economy of Suriname during the late 18th century.
“A Surinam Planter in his Morning Dress, 1793”
Who is the author and what is her or his place in society?
The author is Agostino Brunias. As for his place in society, Brunias was a European artist working within the context of colonialism, depicting scenes that often romanticized or idealized plantation life. His work provides valuable insight into the social dynamics and power structures of the time, although it's important to recognize that his perspective was influenced by his position as a European artist working within colonial territories.
Do you think the author is credible and reliable?
As an artist, Agostino Brunias is credible and reliable in the sense that his artwork provides valuable insights into the social, cultural, and historical context during the late 18th century. His paintings serve as visual documents that offer perspectives on colonial life, plantation society, and the interactions between different ethnic and social groups in the Caribbean colonies.
How do the ideas and values in the source differ from the ideas and values of our age?
The painting depicts a planter in his morning dress, surrounded by the landscape of his plantation. However, it likely overlooks or romanticizes the brutal realities of slavery and exploitation that underpinned the plantation economy. While slavery was widely accepted and
practiced in the 18th century, contemporary values condemn slavery as a grave violation of human rights and dignity.
What kinds of information does this text tell you without knowing it's telling you?
The composition of the painting conveys power dynamics within colonial society. The planter's central placement and confident demeanor symbolize his dominance and control over the landscape, highlighting the unequal power relations between European colonizers and the colonized peoples.
What major differences appear in them?
The major differences are that in A Surinam Planter in his Morning Dress, 1793, the painter is glamourizing slavery since it doesn’t show the hardships of what a slave goes through. In “Sugar
Mill at work”, it shows the hardships of what the slaves went through. In addition, In "Sugar Mill
at Work," the composition is dynamic, with multiple figures engaged in various activities distributed across the canvas. The perspective shows a detailed view of the laborers and machinery within the sugar mill. “A Surinam Planter in his Morning Dress, 1793” features the planter occupying the central focus of the painting. The perspective is typically from a distance, allowing for a clear view of the planter's surroundings and possessions.
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Part II:
In examining historical documents, artworks offer unique insights into the socio-
economic and cultural dynamics of a given time period. The paintings “Sugar Mill at work” and “A Surinam Planter in his Morning Dress” give us a glimpse of life in the West Indies when European countries controlled the region. Even though they are different, they both reveal issues like how the colonies were treated, workers were mistreated, and who had power. Through an analysis of “Sugar Mill at Work” by West Indies and “A Surinam Planter in his Morning Dress, 1793” it becomes evident that while these artworks differ in their specific focus and artistic representation, they both provide insights into the complex dynamics of colonialism and how comparing these sources helps us understand slavery in world history.
Both paintings demonstrate common themes related to power dynamics and labor exploitation. In “Sugar Mill at Work,” the focus is on the labor-intensive process of sugar production within a plantation setting, highlighting the harsh realities faced by laborers subjected
to exploitative working conditions. In the artwork, it is shown that the slaves are working, while there is a white male standing near them, holding a whip in his hand. This shows how much power the white had over the slaves. In addition, during that time, it was easier for slaves to hurt themselves with the machines they were using. “[O]n the table of the mill there is a sharp machete ready, in case the Negro, in his state, should be caught between the rollers whereby they
can chop off his arm, in order to spare his life, for . . . so great is the pulling force, particularly in the water mills, whose racing motion cannot be stopped” (Philip Fermin, Description generale . . . de la colonie de Surinam, 1769). On the other hand, “A Surinam Planter in his Morning Dress, 1793” centers on a planter figure, symbolizing the wealth and privilege derived from the labor of enslaved individuals. In the painting, the wealthy man creates a center of
attention, showing power, while the slave is standing in the back. The male appears to be much bigger than the slave holding a pipe demonstrating how much power he has. In addition, the slave appears to be topless which can show how much control the owners had over their slave, ordering them to do whatever they want as the slaves were treated poorly.
Despite their different subject matter, both paintings reflect the pervasive influence of colonialism on social and economic structures in the West Indies. While “Sugar Mill at Work” is
a visual artwork, “A Surinam Planter in his Morning Dress, 1793” is a portrait painting. Despite their differences in form, the documents serve as visual representations of life in the West Indies during the colonial era. They provide insights into the socio-economic realities of the time, including the reliance on enslaved labor and the dominance of plantation economies. The West Indies during this period existed within a colonial framework, with European powers exerting control over land, resources, and labor. The world was characterized by ongoing colonial expansion, and social inequalities, with issues of class playing central roles in shaping power dynamics. Furthermore, similarities within the artworks exist in context of European colonial domination in the West Indies during the 18th and 19th centuries. The West Indies, comprising various Caribbean islands and territories, were subjected to colonization by European powers such as Britain, France, Spain, and the Netherlands. The colonization of the West Indies was driven by economic motives, particularly the establishment of plantation economies based on cash crops like sugar and tobacco.
In conclusion, these two artworks share common themes of labor exploitation and power dynamics in the West Indies. Both artworks provide insights into the harsh realities faced by slaves at the time subjected to forced labor and economic exploitation under colonial rule.
Through their depiction of social hierarchies and resistance to oppression, these artworks serve as reminders of colonialism and the ongoing struggles for justice and liberation.
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