Abolition - Communicating the Movement

Abolitionist motifs began to decorate countless bowls, cups, plates, figurines, embroideries, tokens and medals as manufacturers responded to the demand of consumers keen to show their sympathies. Most famous was Josiah Wedgwood's simple motif; the image of a slave who memorably asked 'Am I not a man and a brother' First appearing on a black basalt medallion in 1787 it was reproduced in many different formats over the following decades.

The faces of the anti-slavery leaders also became well known through the spread of popular engravings such as Heroes of the Slave Trade Abolition. In this context, Benjamin Robert Haydon's painting of the World's Anti-Slavery Convention was the culmination of an energetic propaganda campaign. It celebrated the achievements of the movement up to that date while creating a monument to Britain's lead in the struggle for future generations.

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