Documentary Film on 19th Century British Portraiture

The portraiture documentary “Who is ‘The Black Boy’?” (2024) was recorded at the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool. This c.10-minute film features piece-to-camera narratives discussing an 1844 painting, co-presented by producer Kate Haselden, curators Miles Greenwood and Alex Scott, painting conservator Rebecca Kench and cultural geographer Dr Carol Ann Dixon.

It was a pleasure to contribute research insights about the representation of Black sitters with African heritage depicted in 19th century British portraiture as part of a documentary film recorded in Liverpool at the International Slavery Museum in 2024.

Titled Who is ‘The Black Boy’?, the primary focus of the film is an appraisal of a single-figure portrait depicting an un-named Black child with African heritage – painted in 1844 by the Liverpool-born, pre-Raphaelite artist William Lindsay Windus (1822–1907).

*‘The Black Boy’* (1844), by William Lindsay Windus. Oil on canvas; Dimensions: H 76.1 x W 63.5 cm. Collection: Walker Art Gallery, National Museums Liverpool (Accession ref: WAG 1601). The original painting has been on display at the International Slavery Museum, Liverpool, since 2007. Source: NML (liverpoolmuseums.org.uk).

As the name of the child is (as yet) unknown, a generic description – ‘The Black Boy’ (1844) – is currently retained as the work’s title. However, the film’s producer Kate Haselden (Research Fellow with the Understanding British Portraits network) was motivated by this problematic absence within the painting’s archival records to invite a selection of heritage professionals to co-present new, piece-to-camera narratives about Windus’ painting. The resulting reinterpretation features reflections on aspects of the painting’s composition, subject matter, provenance and conservation in order to catalyse further archival research and recover more local history details about this poignant artwork.

Working alongside filmmaker/videographer Wesley Storey, the c.10-minute documentary features recordings of Kate Haselden in conversation with curators Miles Greenwood and Alex Scott, painting conservator Rebecca Kench from National Museums Liverpool, and myself (cultural geographer, Dr Carol Ann Dixon).

Within my section of the narrative, I share an interpretation of the painting’s allegorical symbolism, remark on the work’s rarity and significance within the wider context of 19th century genre painting, and also consider the painting’s importance as part of the long-standing visual record of people with African heritage settled in Britain throughout the era of enslavement, anti-slavery resistance and abolition.

Two women pictured on either side of a 19th century oil painting. — Producer Kate Haselden and cultural geographer Dr Carol Ann Dixon pictured at the International Slavery Museum next to the 1844 painting by William Lindsay Windus. Photo credit: Wesley Storey (2024).

Please click on the YouTube link (shown below) to view the documentary in full (Duration: 9:45 mins):

National Museums Liverpool hope this film will help to spark greater public curiosity and encourage further archival research that brings more information about the child’s identity and lived experiences to light.

Viewers are encouraged to contribute to an ongoing online public discussion about this artwork via the YouTube link. Alternatively, written feedback and further information can also be shared via email, c/o: ecomments@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk.

Further information

National Museums Liverpool: Call out for further information about ‘The Black Boy’ (1844), by William Lindsay Windus. https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

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