The Metropolitan Museum of Art has recently acquired “Bélizaire and the Frey Children,” a family portrait with a concealed secret, marking a significant addition to their collection. This 19th-century painting is a rare depiction of an enslaved individual, shedding light on the historical erasure of Black figures.
Jeremy K. Simien, an art collector, played a pivotal role in rescuing this artwork from obscurity. The journey of the painting unfolds through decades of neglect and misunderstanding at the hands of various institutions. Originally hidden away in a garage in Louisiana, the portrait eventually found its way to the New Orleans Museum of Art, where it languished in storage for 32 years.
The institutional neglect of such a poignant piece reflects broader issues in recognizing the importance of preserving and showcasing art that captures the experiences of people of African descent. Simien’s determination led to the restoration of “Bélizaire and the Frey Children,” revealing a spectral outline of an enslaved child.
Through meticulous research, including the expertise of curator Katy Shannon, the child was identified as Bélizaire, providing a name and history to the once-obscured figure. The painting’s odyssey through auctions, neglect, and restoration ultimately culminated in its rightful place at the Met, contributing to a more inclusive representation of history within the museum’s permanent collection.
Top image: 1837 portrait of Elizabeth, Léontine and Frederick Frey Jr., including the child slave in the attire of a domestic servant Bélizaire (Public Domain)
