Sojourner Truth: From American Slave to American Photographer

Last Updated on 08/12/2024 by Nilofer Khan

One of the most significant chapters in the history of America was the abolition of slavery. Many revolutionaries fought for the rights, dignity, and liberation of Black people, but some stood out in their quest. Today, we are here to tell you the story of one woman who advocated abolishing slavery and fought for women’s rights while employing the creative genius of nineteenth-century photography: Sojourner Truth.

Lead image of Sojourner Truth is courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Who was Sojourner Truth?

The year was 1797 when Truth was born as Dutch-speaking Isabella Bomfree in New York and into slavery. One of her greatest fears came to life when she turned nine. Truth was snatched away from her parents and sold to John Neely for $100 and a flock of sheep. But her challenges weren’t over yet. Truth was purchased four more times, and with each new “master” arrived more strenuous physical labor and fierce punishments. 

In 1827, Truth, who made a decision that would change the trajectory of her life, fled from her life as an enslaved person and took refuge with the Van Wageners, an abolitionist family. They bought her freedom for $20 and later helped her sue for the return of her son, who was then five. Truth won the case and began to live in New York, where she worked for a local minister. By the 1830s, she was a part of religious events and soon became a captivating speaker. It was 1843, upon an epiphany from God to preach “the truth,” Sojourner renamed herself. She began to speak at public forums, after a much-needed nudge from fellow abolitionists, about the wrongs of slavery. Her first book, The Narrative of Sojourner Truth, was dictated by her to Olive Gilbert. However, steadfast as she was, Truth learned to read and write to support her speeches and began publishing her books. It was here that she also used photography to disseminate her cause.

Sojourner Truth’s Impeccable Use of Photography

Early on, Truth realized the power of photography as an instrument to redefine the status of Black people while asserting individuality and the causes she believes in. During the Civil War, she strategically used carte-de-visite (a calling card) to market herself and her work.

Famous worldwide, carte-de-visite was invented and patented in France by André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri, a Parisian portrait photographer. Disdéri was a pioneer who utilized a four-lensed camera to create eight 3.5×2.5-inch negatives on an entire plate. Then, Disdéri snipped the prints into more miniature portraits and mounted them separately on 4×3 inches cards. One could make eight different poses on one plate.

Truth’s ingenuity reflects the use of carte-de-visite, which earned her stardom. The small, affordable, accessible cards were used following her lectures, thus ensuring her image and words are imprinted in the audience’s minds forever. However, there was one hiccup. Back then, the picture’s copyright was with the photographer. So, she informally altered the system. Truth used her name and a caption that calls attention to her ownership of the carte-de-visite. For instance, in one of her famous captions, Truth wrote, ‘I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance.’ Shadow was a term used then for photography—an excellent play of words. In 1864, she found a perfect way to ensure the property rights and the copyright remained with her: She used the publishing copyright laws for her image under her name—a remarkable feat.

In one of her rare and renowned carte-de-visite, created in 1864, Truth poses with her knitting instruments with a calm expression. Back then, knitting wasn’t just art for women; it became an emblem of patriotism. The portrait depicts her with dignity as she wears a great dress, a shawl, a cap, and a small smile. The flowers on the side of the table add a feminine touch to the photograph, portraying Truth as a thriving African American, someone people should certainly look up to. Truth made more carte-de-visites, which, centuries later, have been widely exhibited, along with her astounding story of bravery and resilience. Truth’s work proves she was larger than life as she continues to inspire us today.