ANCHOR (A North Carolina History Online Resource) is now its own website!
The man is reading a newspaper with headline, "Presidential Proclamation, Slavery," which refers to the Jan. 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. Stephens has created several other illustrations that depict slavery, slave rebellion, and emancipation.
These illustrations can be found at: https://www.loc.gov/search/?fa=contributor:stephens,+h.+l.+%28henry+loui...
Rights Status Unknown
LinkStephens, H. L. (Henry Louis). [Black man reading newspaper by candlelight]. circa 1863. Watercolor painting. Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010718365/. Accessed February 20, 2026.
The exact copyright and related rights status of this item is unknown or undetermined. You can use this item in a way that is permitted by the copyright legislation that applies to your use.
Stephens, H. L. (Henry Louis). [Black man reading newspaper by candlelight]. circa 1863. Watercolor painting. Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010718365/. Accessed February 20, 2026.