A Resurfaced Legacy: The Restoration and Revelation of a 19th-Century Portrait
Attributed to Jacques Guillaume Lucien Amans, Bélizaire and the Frey Children (ca. 1837). Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
In the hallowed halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a recent acquisition stands as a testament to the power of art restoration in unveiling suppressed histories. A 19th-century portrait, obscured for over a century, now reveals the haunting gaze of an enslaved child, Bélizaire, bringing to light an intricate tapestry of Louisiana's African American history.
This evocative artwork, titled "Bélizaire and the Frey Children," dates back to 1837 and is attributed to the renowned French neoclassical painter Jacques Guillaume Lucien Amans. The painting, once a symbol of familial unity and affluence, concealed the poignant narrative of Bélizaire, a young mixed-race boy, who was painted out of existence until a dedicated collector intervened.
Jeremy K. Simien, rooted in a profound quest to unravel the threads of his ninth-generation Creole heritage, embarked on a journey that led to the unveiling of Bélizaire's presence. The profound intertwining of art, identity, and history finds its epitome in this restored masterpiece, shedding light on the obscured lives of enslaved individuals and the systemic erasure of their existence from familial and historical records.
The painting's journey from obscurity to prominence is marked by years of neglect and a final triumphant revelation. Originally housed in the New Orleans Museum of Art, it was deaccessioned and sold, only to be meticulously restored and the overpainting removed, allowing Bélizaire to re-emerge from the shadows. The nuanced racial tensions of the era, encapsulated within the brushstrokes, narrate a complex story of enslavement, recognition, and the enduring struggle for identity.
Simien’s indefatigable pursuit, fueled by art history and familial roots, converges with the efforts of historian Katy Morlas Shannon and conservator Craig Crawford. Together, they resurrected Bélizaire from the veils of obscurity, positioning the painting as a monumental discovery in the annals of American art and history.
As the Met welcomes this transformative piece, viewers are invited to transcend the aesthetic allure and confront the profound narratives embedded within. Each gaze into Bélizaire’s eyes unveils a story of racial, cultural, and historical complexities - a narrative long suppressed, now awaiting its due recognition. The aura and revelation encapsulated within this artwork transcend the confines of a private collection, marking a pivotal moment where history, long obscured, is laid bare in the illuminating light of artistry and recognition.
As we approach the 100th anniversary of the Met’s American Wing, the painting’s incorporation signals a redemptive stride towards acknowledging and amending historical and representational voids. In the silent yet evocative gaze of Bélizaire, we encounter not just an artistic marvel but a poignant narrative of enslavement, suppression, and the undying echo of histories yearning for acknowledgment.
