A Black Man Reads of the Emancipation Proclamation

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

Link

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.