A Darktown Glide: "Aint dis jes lubly!"
The late nineteenth-century Darktown prints by Currier & Ives depict racist stereotypes that are offensive and disturbing. The Metropolitan Museum of Art preserves such works to shed light on their historical context and to enable the study and evaluation of racism.
tThis print caricatures Black (African American) roller skaters who are skating in an elegant white wood interior skating rink (with coved ceiling and large paned windows). In the foreground (facing the viewer), a couple-- both elegantly attired-- skate in unison with their hands clasped. He wears a long cream-colored coat, striped light blue pants, and a black top hat; she wears a blue dress beneath a red-leaf-patterned/yellow striped pinafore and a red hat adorned with blue feathers.They are both unaware that a youth, wearing a green suit and cap, is skating behind them (at left); he is starting to lose his balance and his open mouth and wide eyes express alarm. In the background, there are other skaters (at right) and a few seated spectators (at left).The title and caption are imprinted in the bottom margin.
Nathaniel Currier, whose successful New York-based lithography firm began in 1835, produced thousands of prints in various sizes that together create a vivid panorama of mid-to-late nineteenth century American life and its history. People eagerly acquired such lithographs featuring picturesque scenery, rural and city views, ships, railroads, portraits, hunting and fishing scenes, domestic life and numerous other subjects, as an inexpensive way to decorate their homes or business establishments. As the firm expanded, Nathaniel included his younger brother Charles in the business. In 1857, James Merritt Ives (the firm's accountant since 1852 and Charles's brother-in-law) was made a business partner; subsequently renamed Currier & Ives, the firm continued until 1907.
tThis print caricatures Black (African American) roller skaters who are skating in an elegant white wood interior skating rink (with coved ceiling and large paned windows). In the foreground (facing the viewer), a couple-- both elegantly attired-- skate in unison with their hands clasped. He wears a long cream-colored coat, striped light blue pants, and a black top hat; she wears a blue dress beneath a red-leaf-patterned/yellow striped pinafore and a red hat adorned with blue feathers.They are both unaware that a youth, wearing a green suit and cap, is skating behind them (at left); he is starting to lose his balance and his open mouth and wide eyes express alarm. In the background, there are other skaters (at right) and a few seated spectators (at left).The title and caption are imprinted in the bottom margin.
Nathaniel Currier, whose successful New York-based lithography firm began in 1835, produced thousands of prints in various sizes that together create a vivid panorama of mid-to-late nineteenth century American life and its history. People eagerly acquired such lithographs featuring picturesque scenery, rural and city views, ships, railroads, portraits, hunting and fishing scenes, domestic life and numerous other subjects, as an inexpensive way to decorate their homes or business establishments. As the firm expanded, Nathaniel included his younger brother Charles in the business. In 1857, James Merritt Ives (the firm's accountant since 1852 and Charles's brother-in-law) was made a business partner; subsequently renamed Currier & Ives, the firm continued until 1907.
Artwork Details
- Title: A Darktown Glide: "Aint dis jes lubly!"
- Artist: Murphy (American, active in New York 1880s)
- Publisher: Currier & Ives (American, active New York, 1857–1907)
- Date: 1884
- Medium: Hand-colored lithograph, with touches of gum arabic
- Dimensions: Image: 12 1/4 × 8 3/4 in. (31.1 × 22.2 cm)
Image and sheet: 13 1/4 × 8 3/4 in. (33.7 × 22.2 cm)
Sheet: 17 5/8 × 13 3/8 in. (44.8 × 34 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of A. S. Colgate, 1952
- Object Number: 52.632.123
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Murphy
Currier & Ives
1884
James McNeill Whistler
1878
James McNeill Whistler
1879–80
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1890–1896
Anonymous, French, 19th century
Toussaint Louverture
1802
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.