‘His Name Was Bélizaire’: Rare Portrait of Enslaved Child Arrives at the Met

The Met recently acquired “Bélizaire and the Frey Children,” a 19th-century Louisiana portrait with a secret: For over a 100 years, the image of an enslaved child was erased. This is his story.
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[@DZ60]

He so calmly said “Mistakes happen.” It wasn’t a mistake. It was a choice.

[@papermario3982]

Not said "calmly"-- said with a SMIRK!

[@asdfghjk8876]

That was like movie villain levels of smugness

[@iGotBulletproof-Insomnia]

Bruh. The painting was deliberately hidden and kept from display. They knew if they restored that painting they would have to have a discussion about it and folks in this country avoid discussing race, racism, and past slavery like it doesn't still matter to this day. Like it's going to hurt someone's feelings to ever acknowledge it.

[@CarrotConsumer]

You guys are ridiculous. Large museums have limited resources and thousands of artifacts in storage. So many wonderful pieces of art are neglected due to a lack of resources. Art restoration isn't easy, either. It takes many hours by professionals. You can't just restore a painting on a whim.

[@shaytay10]

Exactly what I said out loud.

[@Fluffymonkeyem]

This child got both his name and his face back. The collaboration between everyone from the descendant of the girls, to the new owner, conservationist and genealogist was A+. It may not be known where he ended or where he began, but the middle of his story is now known.

[@eh1702]

But of course, the child didn’t. He was sold away from his mother and the (probably related to him) family and friends that he knew at 16 and spent at least the next 35-40 years enslaved, probably in much worse conditions. By then in his 50s, he did not have much more life expectancy.

[@blueblack3591]

So horrendous. To be sold like cattle 😢

[@MsVanorak]

it doesn't look like he was considered a slave from his attire and the title of the painting to say nothing of including him in such a costly item. i would say he was a half brother/cousin. but he couldn't be fully acknowledged or free so he was being set on a course to work as a p.a. or valet. he should have come to england rather than be sold out of the family! Clive of India has a little Indian girl on one of his family paintings, probably family.

[@karmad4491]

@@eh1702 Belizaire was sold to Evergreen Plantation, but was later bought back by the Frey family. He lived to adulthood. He was born in 1822 - so he could well have lived through the Civil War to become a free man.

[@3namechangezalowdevry90day7]

This is a historian's "educated guess". Cool story but no definitive proof.

[@marie6885]

With the way Belasaire was dressed in the painting, his inclusion with rhe other children, the fact that he was biracial, his several sea voyages with the male owner certainly points to the possibility that the male owner had some regard/affection for him. The fact the mistress of the house sold him immediately after her husband's death and on Christmas Eve infers that she had no regard for him and possibly despised him. Her deceased husband was probably Belasaire's father and this she couldn't bear. This may explain his removal from the painting.

[@user-wx9jo6st7f]

Correct!

[@HanonSama]

I don't think he was this particular master's child, since he was bought by the Frye family when he was 6 with his mother. He was most likely the previous master's child.

[@kandiceduckett903]

Yes, it's a picture of his children. It's the reason they hid the picture away.

[@greenjt]

@@HanonSama very possible could have had a “relationship” with the mother that began more than 6 years prior to his buying them🤷🏾‍♀️never know, he may have been friends with her original “owners”

[@KindredKaye]

@@HanonSama at this time, you don’t pay to paint someone who “works” for you. You don’t dress them as nicely as your children. Him being in the painting would be considered very strange. They way he’s looking at the other children is very symbolic. Even if he isn’t the biological child, they wife might have been very suspicious. He’s in this painting for a reason.

[@dustyjo1010]

A museum director saying “mistakes happen” so casually gives me chills. Is that what he says about all the stolen artwork they have as well?

[@jamesrowell4674]

It’s also telling about his character

[@NubianQueen100]

PRECISELY

[@anthonythervil1448]

That part how does someone like that even keep such a job... Only in white America smh.

[@bryantjackson3803]

The EVIL of it all🤨

[@devora]

Wait until folks find out about Mozart and Beethoven This museum art director is quite telling to say the very least

[@jonathan99097]

how Katie managed to track Belizaire down and how Craig managed to restore that painting is truly astonishing. That took some serious patience skill and dedication.

[@WholeHeartily]

Long story short, we know exactly who shot JFK.

[@lexinehanson8488]

And how Jeremy did a great job of imploring the both of them to research the forgotten art is beyond amazing and commendable. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@geekdivaherself]

Jeremy did a lot of his own research just to find that painting. And then, as you point out, he had the knowledge to find the right people and involve them to get all of this in a mini documentary as well. And _permanent collection_ at the Met!🎉 Well done. I hope that undisclosed sum was substantial! I'm sure that the Met Gala from here on out will find well-dressed people clustered around it.

[@psychonauty2020]

😂why are you using people names like this

[@cocofluff]

They and Jeremy are passionate people. They had a passion for solving this mystery so time was irrelevant. They weren't gonna let it go until they got the answers. So admirable.

[@christienelson1437]

The name Belizaire is a French word for a West Indian-Haitian name meaning “beautiful river”. Obviously someone cherished and loved him to give him such a name.

[@opensprings]

Yes, I believe this young man had Haitian ancestry, which would not be uncommon for New Orleans back then. Indeed, many Louisianans of color have Haitian roots. It stems from the Haitian Revolution (1791 to 1804) when their ancestors were brought to New Orleans by their owners who were seeking refuge from the Revolution. Of course, many black Louisianans also have ancestors who were brought in directly from Africa in the 1700's or from other States after 1803 with the cotton expansion. But this particular influx from 'Saint Domingue', as Haiti was called, was a uniquely historical and culturally enriching event. At the time Louisiana was still French territory as Thomas Jefferson had not yet purchased it.

[@theironbutterfly1104]

Black Americans are the real aboriginal American Indians of America. Our identity and information as well as land was stolen by way of the Dawes Act of 1887. Aboriginal means from the beginning. Native does not, many of the Indians you see today are EurAsian, Mongolian people, who helped steal reparations and land from black Americans. And some will tell u that to your face. The Dawes Act made it so white people back then could pay a $5.00 fee to be a Indian. That's where the term $5.00 Indian comes from. Meaning fake Indians, who paid to be part of a tribe. Most the slaves or indentured servants, or low paid workers, in America were white. You know them by their famous name as Pilgrims. I suggest you look into the state of Virginia, it explains some of this information, and it's history had allot to do with black Americans or Aboriginal American Indians. Black Americans or Aboriginal American Indians, were masters of tobacco, sugar, gold, pearls, wood crafting, dance, singing, and other stuff. Including dealing with spirits, and holding white people as slaves. Slavery did not start with black Americans in America, because black Americans were already here, controlling America.

[@OFFCODEV2]

Yea his nother

[@kcn6424]

His mom, maybe?

[@ALT-vz3jn]

@@sindybelizaire409Bélizaire doesn’t mean ‘beautiful river’; it’s a name of Greek etiology as another commenter said. In French ‘Beautiful River’ would be ‘Belle Rivière’. Doesn’t even sound like Bélizaire.

[@myacct8304]

Bélizaire. What a beautiful name. I got very emotional hearing his name said out loud. He was real. He lived, loved, and breathed. Amazing.

[@THESILVERNARUTO]

I felt that I really did

[@shadysaar]

Same a very beautiful name. Made me also interested in his life story. I hope he somewhere anywhere had a diary written about his daily life

[@laurenlongfellow9714]

I just can’t get over the fact that he was sold on Christmas Eve, by a family that at one point seemed to care for him at least a little bit. My heart breaks for him.

[@clementmckenzie7041]

It's probably even worse than that. From the resemblance I see between him and the white children, I would bet Dollar against donuts that he is their blood relative and still they sold him on Christmas Eve.

[@msgmsg857]

He probably was a s*x slave. He was purchased to be abused and when the abuser died.the wife sold him

[@jackb1969]

The wife probably sold him

[@AvatarPrimus]

@@clementmckenzie7041 I was thinking the same

[@sylvialamarcolon3233]

Sadly the holidays especially new years day, was dreaded by the slaves because they knew family members would be torn away from them on that day.. new years day was a big slaves selling day at the time. So very terrible.

[@MrRufusRToyota]

As a student of this time period, the most likely scenario was that the enslaved boy was the master’s son by an enslaved woman. This was a very common situation back then, especially in French America and most especially in New Orleans, where slaves often had the weekends off and some spending money. That explains why he was bought at 6, why he traveled with his father, why he was painted with the other children, why he was dressed so stylishly, and why the mistress sold him when his father died and painted over his image. Who knows, but the father’s will may have emancipated the boy, a common occurrence, but the wife sold him out of anger, another common occurrence. A beautiful portrait.

[@pearlhartney9]

This is exactly what I thought and have just commented above. I think he looks like the other children too.

[@akirfowlkes8510]

none of the other children survived to adulthood which is more likely the reason behind him being painted over.

[@YouTubeSupportSucks]

​@@akirfowlkes8510that makes no sense lmfao

[@pandapower5902]

@@KZbinSupportSucks I think they are suggesting that the painting turned into a memorial and that was why he was removed, is because he wasn’t being memorialize like they were. No idea if it’s right or not though lol.

[@pandapower5902]

Apparently, not, though, he was bought by the guy, so he was already alive. A lot of people are assuming that he was his father but he was already born when the guy bought him.

[@janicehuff1183]

For all the people saying that he was not a slave, there is a bill of sale for him and his mother. These bills are public records. Hopefullly, since he was in the "house", he and his mother were treated better than slaves in the "field". God bless the man who bought and the one who restored the painting. This is painful but it's a part of the story of this country.

[@greendesertgoddess]

. . . and there are those who want to erase it . . .

[@verlania7539]

​@@greendesertgoddessit'll never be erased. I don't care how hard they try. A lot of people have a lot to pay for

[@ko0974]

Yes that's how it worked....you could not just walk up and take a person , as They were property, so you had to pay , even if was to free them ....

[@botanicalitus4194]

@@ko0974but there is no proof he was ever freed and he was sold again after the painting was created

[@ko0974]

@@botanicalitus4194 I think that's because the father died ,so it would have been a condition on his will ,at that time as considered property an asset ,so obviously his estate was in arrears so assets were sold to pay off his debts ......if the industrial enslavers bought him and his mother, no doubt be separated and worked outside , picking cotton and living in slave quarters..Here he was living indoors well fed, well clothed and no doubt educated ..He was also well travelled ........It's sad that two of the girls in that picture died within a year of that painting...

[@pseudopuppy160]

QUICK SUMMARY: THE BOY: * His name was Belizaire. * His mum: Sally * His dad: the slave owner: Frederick Frey * Was sold at 6 years old to the Frey Family, in the French Quarter in New Orleans , with him mum Sally, in 1828. * He was mixed race His dad ( Frederick Frey) was a merchant. Belizaire went with his dad on multiple voyagers - as a domestic slave & caretaker of the children. * He was about 15 in the portrait. * The image showed that he was both 'valued' as a 'family' member, but could also be sold at any time. * When his father Frederick died, his wife Coralie sold him in 1856 to Evergreen Plantation, on Christmas eve. * He was later painted out of the portrait about 50yrs after the portrait was originally done * They discovered the coverup, due to the newer paint cracking at different rates to the underlying original image, and therefore revealing the original image. * the coverup happened about 50 years later. * Belizaire was a slave until 1861, (age 39) when the USA civil war began. His records stop there, and there's no record if he survived. THIS IS ONE OF THE VERY FEW PAINTINGS, LEFT IN THE USA, REALISTICALLY DEPICTING A SLAVE (ie as a usual portrait, as per a family portrait of that era, rather than as a propaganda / charicature of slaves) QUICK SUMMARY: THE PAINTING: * Jeremy K Simien - an art collector discovered the painting for auction & thought it was done by a famous artist * Jeremy found an earlier auction with the boy covered up--- and started to investigate * relative of the white family in the picture, knew the story of a favourite slave in the picture - who was later covered up for an unknown reason * That relative's mum had inherited the painting and donated it to a local museum * that museum put it in the basement for 32 years as "un-exibitable" * 2004 it was sold at auction * buyer restored * Jeremy acquired it in 2021 QUCK SUMMARY: DISCOVERING WHO THE BOY IS: * hired Craig Crawford to do a 2nd restoration - to get it as close as possible to the original intention * Jeremy started to research the painting with Historian Katy Shannon - and spoke to the family that originally donated it to the museum * Katy looked through previous family records to find a family member wealthy enough to hire a painter. * the wealthy family member was Coralie, who owned slaves - one, which matched the age of the boy in the painting (see above) * Census information of those living in the home, included only 1 possible answer to who the boy was - a mixed race child living in the home. (logically assumed to be the result of Coralie's husband Frederick, and a slave) * property records showed the bill of sale, when they bought the boy & registered him as property owned by the Frey family

[@samuelalexander2992]

Did they definitively say in the video that Frederick is Bélizaire's father? Katy said that he is biracial and a domestic, and is a valued member of the family.

[@samhaucward3633]

​@@samuelalexander2992so you think a slave owner would have put a "valued slave " next to his legitimate family for a "portrait" /painting for the posterity ? And then his wife sold the boy as soon the master died and the family made him disappear from the painting for no reason? 👀 Are you really that naïf or is it a joke👀🙄

[@V.E.R.O.]

​@@samuelalexander2992No, they didn't. He's making an assumption.

[@Mo-uk5uh]

Thank you!!

[@nunyabiznys5169]

thank you

[@ambc8970]

Belizaire with his sad sad eyes. I wonder if he was not a half brother of the other children. Only hate can make you erase a person out of your life. May he rest in peace.

[@ReginaMcNeish]

You WONDER??? If he wasn’t a half brother??? If paintings of mixed kids back then where the Maury Povich show … this would be a clear sign of YOU ARE THE FATHER…..

[@ttintagel]

He came to that family at the age of six, so it's unlikely.

[@ReginaMcNeish]

@@ttintagel How so? How do you know that he didn’t have any encounters with the slave woman he so generously took her AND HER SON on? Men were free to roam. The whole patriarchy thing women keep screaming about…. The view of it THEN was way different than it is NOW. Off the top of my head I can think of several historical men whose father SUDDENLY came home one day with a woman and sometimes WHILE STILL MARRIED. Lincoln. Rockefeller, and Wilde. It was a THING men did… now Maury Povich is men’s hero, but back then some men did the right thing EVEN TO SLAVE WOMEN (Check out the Nonfiction book “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” and read how she did JUST THAT.) You can’t tell me with confidence that it’s “unlikely” with out understanding the mindset of the THEN man and how they handled things verses how they do now. The biggest things about the south back then that NO ONE seems to talk about is all the BI-RACIAL babies that where born and the amount of conflict in struck with WOMEN slave or white. A woman is a woman….The evidence is also in the MANY LIGHT SKINNED BLACK PEOPLE IN THE US. There was a lot of mixing and women did what they had to do. So he COULD BE HIS. You do not know if it was not his child.. but his actions speaks VOLUMES….

[@tigerlilly9038]

​@@ReginaMcNeish PREACH. That is whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy my comment was "did Eugene's mother know?"

[@tigerlilly9038]

​​@@ttintagel The bill of sale stated he was purchased at 6 years old that doesn't mean he was not the offspring of the purchaser. No person who owned enslaved people would put their slave in a portrait with their children without having a blood relevance to those other Children. No matter how much he was favored in that Household in any capacity. That simply did not happen. 8:41 Literally the woman stated you do not see that rarely if ever at this time stamp 8:30

[@Tsumami__]

It’s nice to see the people who’s family formerly owned the painting speaking frankly about it, instead of succumbing to the uncomfortable feeling that the subject of racism and slavery gives people, that makes them shy away from the mere topic, much less discussing an object like that being part of their family history.

[@CutFromADifferentCloth7]

Yes, as opposed to avoiding the issue all together which would in turn have the reporter say "the family couldn't be reached for comment"

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

People in the south are pretty frank about their thoughts on this stuff usually.

[@antwainclarke3406]

yes. so many people fear backlash from being candid about their family history and the truth is, they were the least intriguing part of the story.

[@hollygolightly8048]

@@antwainclarke3406huh?

[@pisceanbeauty2503]

@@lowwastehighmelanin I frankly find the opposite, at least outside of family/friends.

[@andreareindl8242]

What a fascinating story. For some reason, when they revealed his name, “Belizaire”, I began to tear up. His name lives on now. He is not forgotten.

[@basicbrittani]

No cause same!! I got really emotional! Kids deserve to be kids and live life but him and his mother were sold and that’s just sickening to think about. That’s a whole human being.

[@joohoneybeee]

I got very emotional when they said his name and emotional again at the end

[@bbmmbbmm7851]

I teared up as well. It's a good and sad story.

[@vincentdavis1530]

I teared up as well when they said his name. With slavery being a known dehumanizing experience, the reveal of Belizaire's name made him not just a part of the work that was intentionally removed, but a human being that in fact existed.

[@southbug27]

Me too. I’ll be thinking about him for days, wondering if he found happiness & peace in life, had his own happy family

[@Jean.Philippe.]

Being "French" myself (from Québec), it is known that many slave owners in the Franco-Spanish area of USA (formerly Nouvelle-France and particularly on the La Nouvelle-Orléans area) had children (mulattos) with freed slave women and it was very common to recognize them and even send them to France to study. No enslaved children would appear on a family portrait wearing fancy western clothes in a prominent spot of the painting and listed with his name. Clearly he was the eldest son of the family patriarch; a slave on a painting would appear (when they do) always smaller than any of the sitters if not kneeling, wearing "festive and exotic" clothes, even as "Ottoman", carrying exotic fruits and/or birds and always clearly to all eyes, as a servant. This young man is taller than the rest of the children, he's kind of the protagonist of the painting, his name is recorded along with the surname of the family, he wears high quality western clothes denoting his position and education and is depicted with this dandy-esq attitude. My guess is that he was deliberately "erased" by an ashamed relative decades later.

[@ec4145]

I agree. His face clearly resembles the other children. But, if he was actually cast out, it was probably not a later relative, but rather his step-mother.

[@solarprogeny6736]

But the record says he was bought when he was 6...

[@miyounova]

​@@solarprogeny6736and? People don't always know about/accept their children, especially borne out of a highly rejected affair, right from the children's birth.

[@mlr4524]

No, his name was NOT recorded in connection with the painting. Zero provenance. That's why they hired the woman to do some digging. She found his name in the SLAVE listing of the CENSUS record, and then later in a ship slave manifest and his BILL OF SALE.

[@user-sp3pt5vt3t]

@@solarprogeny6736 Yes, he purchased him, but it may have simply been expedient to do so if his mother belonged to another family. His father purchased him to keep him and ensure he would not be sold by his mother's owner most likely. He was well dressed and accompanied his father on trips, so definitely not a caretaker of the children (how could he do so if he wasn't there), and clearly the stepmother, more likely a male relative on her behalf, sold the young man after his father's death (I think it's safe to infer that from the fact he so much resembles the other children). She wouldn't have had a legal say as to what her husband did or didn't do, including brining his child by another woman into their home. And legally, it was considered the man's home. The laws were all slanted towards men. It can be inferred this teen was sold and erased due to resentment. And to be honest, even if the child were white the stepmother probably would have done the same, except probably sending him away to a school or relative rather than selling him as chatle. All of the assumptions we make are just that. The truth is lost to history and the lives the painting represents. I truly hope the young man and his mother found freedom in life, if not they surely found it in death.

[@SunnyGirlFlorida]

The two girls in the painting died that very year at ages 5 and 9. The boy died not long after. Belizaire is the only one who lived well into adulthood. I wouldn't be suprised if the mistress of the house was resentful of him.

[@user-wx9jo6st7f]

He may have been an "Heir" to the fortune. Literally painted him out of the picture

[@samhaucward3633]

​@@user-wx9jo6st7fslave could never have inherited any fortune. That's clearly hate and resentful that made him sold, not the inheritance he couldn't have.

[@josephsmiley1]

Divine Karma.

[@annahappen7036]

​@@samhaucward3633that's why there is a theory that he was indeed half brother and heir. But once everyone is dead the defacto step mother could have easily sold him into slavery and effectively erased him from the family, not just the painting.

[@annahappen7036]

​@@josephsmiley1excuse me? Who's?

[@basicbot7349]

There’s something about Bèlizaire’s eyes, they just penetrate the soul. Truly gorgeous painting.

[@Dream_more_age_less]

He was such a handsome young man; his beauty is haunting.

[@lewstone5430]

I agree. I see a seriousness, with a hint of sadness.

[@VacuousCat]

All enlarged, lol.

[@eh1702]

@vacuouscat Desperately making up small-hearted “alternative facts” lol.

[@illmeeillmee9373]

@@VacuousCat what do you mean enlarged? large eyes are a beauty trait, especially in women. Look at anime, dolls, Disney princesses, etc. The beauty of the eye is in the size and shape.

[@katie1234645]

On a human level I find it heartbreaking that he was sold on Christmas Eve and into a plantation- there is such malice behind the timing and the act itself. Suggests someone in that family strongly disliked the way that Mr Frey treated him as someone of emotional value.

[@tigerlilly9038]

Look go on and say the quiet part out loud. You KNOW whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, Katie.

[@scarletsletter4466]

For a mixed slave being sold to a plantation can actually a step up, since he’s going to work in the “big house.” It’s clear Belizaire would not be in the fields. He has a Euro shaped nose & the historian called him biracial. Sometimes people didn’t like that, & it might be why he got sold

[@ritchielehare2673]

Your optimism is cute but far from the truth. His mixed race didn't guarantee anything as a male. That only work with women, and only if they were found desirable. He was the son of Frey and upon his death was sold by the wife. He may have even been granted his freedom but was denied and sold anyway. That is a more likely scenario.@@scarletsletter4466

[@naomilives414]

The date he was sold was the least of his worries.

[@thepurpleone5959]

@@scarletsletter4466what? Explain what’s good in being treated below other humans, and imply his features as the reason it was good? Smh he was a child I’m sure his mother was sold the moment the Fry woman laid eyes on her, he lost his mother. Then was sold to a plantation where he didn’t have any roots or familiarity. Oh, but that was a good thing because he was lighter in skin and was working to service other humans in their big house 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@ShakiLanuza]

I got emotional when they finally found the name of the boy on the painting. Such a heartbreaking story. *Belizaire* you will not be forgotten.

[@t.m.3022]

Same. I wasn't expecting it to be such a powerful moment.

[@AvatarPrimus]

Who does that on Christmas eve? Selling him to a plantation after having grown up accustomed to another type of live situation is simply cruel, almost downright evil. Slavery has always been simply something unforgivable, no matter the time, race or circumstances, slavery whether of people of any color or social circumstance throughout human civilizations since before the beginning of history has always been and continues to be painful and baffles me.

[@Toribell1928]

So grateful to the people involved for not leaving this up to the museums. Museums do a lot of great work but unfortunately as large institutions they also neglect a lot of great works as well. I can only imagine this painting would have never been truly appreciated without the people who didn’t give up on it.

[@FranNyan]

And often individuals have far more economic means and flexibility than museums do. This painting was lucky that someone with means spotted it and was able to properly have it restored and find someone who could track down the history of it all. It's a very rare combo.

[@myriamickx7969]

It's really a shame that this portrait was put away in a museum reserve for 30 years. What's that for a curator?

[@hectormontes7056]

I mean it was a painting of unnotable people by an unnotable artist, that was in poor condition with heavy overpainting that needed serious restoration. Out of the hundred of paintings a museum owns and the limited funds they have, it seems reasonable that this painting got overlooked. They should’ve have seen the significance of it, but I’m glad they sold to someone who could actually give it the attention it deserves.

[@christianfrommuslim]

@@myriamickx7969 It costs a lot of money to restore a painting. I know from experience.

[@fredrika27]

I got lost in the basement of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. What I saw that was literally rotting in the damp would blow your mind!!!

[@Bella-gj6wc]

Great work by Jeremy who discovered that the painting had been altered. And he’s absolutely CORRECT, that black people ARE Americans, and their history is as important as any other ancestors. I like the painting much more with the fourth figure in it.

[@liastorm795]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@callmeonkeshiasphone]

we have fault in EVERY war going back to the revolutionary war, ill be damned if I not an american. Like the Curtis Mayfelid lyric " some ppl dont think I have the right to say "THIS IS MY COUNTRY" I put up 300 years of slave driving, sweat and welts on my back GODDAMNIT this is my country. DODUEDEWDO "Too many have died in protecting my pride For me to go second class" cmon now

[@Bella-gj6wc]

@@callmeonkeshiasphone you know I feel somewhat the same. I am a Canadian by birth, and American by choice. I wouldn’t move back to Canada, IF my life depended on it! As a Canadian, who was raised in a completely white community, I could never really understand black people. Since I’ve been living here x 20 years, I feel the same as I always have. Some black people are GREAT, and some not so much; but as God as my witness, the same can sure be said of every OTHER race on the planet. Thanks for your comment! As long as people are good to me, I’m good to them. ❤️

[@callmeonkeshiasphone]

I concur with that notion! @@Bella-gj6wc

[@JackieBaisa]

Yes, it was meant to be there, because without him, the composition is uneven and incomplete. His presence truly completes the piece.

[@inlangford]

He was bought, sold, painted, unpainted, forgotten, remembered, and now almost 2M views on KZbin... Great story!!

[@jonathancollard3710]

Tragic snapshot of an ugly period of time, but a beautiful painting nonetheless. So glad this young teenagers story and the impact he must have made into the lives of that family was unearthed and restored into history. A moving episode; thank you for taking the time to share with us.

[@lordgarion514]

There are literally more slaves in the world today, than at the height of the slave trade.

[@madisonprien2198]

Williows

[@hiswillbedone642]

@@lordgarion514🙄

[@lordgarion514]

@@hiswillbedone642 ?

[@DR-sv8ke]

​@@lordgarion514cool, what are you doing about it?

[@inageorgala826]

I find Bèlizaire’s portrait so moving - there is a sadness, a feeling of otherness conveyed in it that is heartbreaking.

[@philgroves7694]

I was struck similarly. Belizaire stands out, alone, detached, with a haunted look in his eyes. certainly this is a painting, not a snapshot, photograph, or digitally captured image; however, the artist seemed to have put more work into Belizaire's expression, than in that of the other children. It's as if the artist could see the real, tragic, human story here.

[@Muhdah1972]

He doesn't look sad. He's a teenager and the crossing of his arms may be his way of showing his disinterest in being part of the portrait. I'm sure he was included over his "step-mother's" wishes. Overall, it's a beautiful portrait.

[@marjorjorietillman856]

@@philgroves7694. Precisely!!!😢

[@cynthiakeller5954]

I find him beautiful, absolutely gorgeous!

[@k.christensen6478]

​@@mythtree6348this was a story about an enslaved young man in a portrait! The only people to be slaves in THIS COUNTY were Africans!!!! END OF STORY!

[@omarsuave6148]

This was so emotional for me to watch. The fact that he was painted over to erase his closeness from the family. The fact that you can still find slave’s history in “property records” is mind blowing to me. The people who worked so hard to uncover what was hidden. This is a great investigation and tugs at my heart. As a Puertorican I would love love love to dig into my history but it is so limited for that island.

[@sojrnrr8368]

Perhaps it is intuition or knowledge but a lot of people do not want to acknowledge their “black” heritage bc “black” legally means “possession”

[@clementmckenzie7041]

Closeness to the family? Two things are obvious, he is a blood relative of the family , the resemblance between him and the white children is striking and since they sold him on Christmas Eve, they really didn't feel that close to him.

[@kittyisme5297]

@@clementmckenzie7041 Have you ever read Uncle Toms cabin? There was slave owners who did actually treat their slaves like family and took good care of them and sometimes they did have to sell the ones they cared for because of lack of money and desperation. You don't know the full story but assuming he wasn't close to the family isn't what the signs show. If he was just a "slave" or a Child from the man mating with a slave...which happened a lot, they wouldn't have put him in the picture....unless he meant something to them.

[@vniquepoetess5687]

@@kittyisme5297surely you mean, the man, “RAPING” the slave woman and getting her pregnant, not “mating” with the slave woman!

[@vniquepoetess5687]

Perhaps, being a Puertorican, you are from one of the 12 Tribes of Israel… The Tribe of Ephraim to be exact… the twelve tribes that were chosen by the Most High God because of His covenant with our forefathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. If your father is of Puertorican decent (because that is how The Most High determines your lineage by your father’s nationality), then you are indeed a part of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

[@chrisBEiGE]

“Mistakes happen..”? Nice one John. Get him out of there asap.

[@Dude-hs7zm]

I mean looking back at the revealed painting, you see Bèlizaire’s actually taking the place where you’d expect the head of the house to stand in a family portrait. It would have been logical to assume that the figure coved would have been the ladies husband, who maybe she later covered up after his death or after a divorce.

[@713demon]

@@Dude-hs7zmNo. He was estimated to have been 15 at the time of the painting. He is in the back, the last, looking away from the painter. Ostracized.

[@3possumsinatrenchcoat]

​@@Dude-hs7zm they literally told the museum it had a covered up slave when they donated it. like it was well known family history that it was a black child under the silhouette.

[@supremethunder49]

I was at the deYoung museum in San Francisco a few years ago and they had an exhibit where flower arrangements inspired by paintings would be in front of them. I remember this one clearly. On one side, there were some soft, pastel flowers (representing the white children), but on the side, balancing, there were some dark brown flowers over a weight (representing Belizaire). And it balanced perfectly with the lighter flowers, but was off to the side a bit. It captured the essence of the painting perfectly. All these years later, finally his story is being told. Kudos to these incredible people for finding his story.

[@amberjulia123]

Belizaire completely steals the show in that painting! He’s the largest figure in it, and standing tall in contrast to the others. Look how the branches and trunk of the tree form perfectly around his head, creating a halo, and contrast that with the mishmash of things behind everyone else’s heads. He is the only figure whose head has the sky and the heavens behind it - serving as the backdrop to his face. His body is the only one that connects to all 3 of the natural elements present in the portrait - earth, water, and air (sky). He is the only figure wearing multiple colors in their outfit - boasting blue pants (reminiscent of the water) a white shirt (reminiscent of the clouds), and a yellow/cream jacket (reminiscent of the sunlight)…whilst the others are in a monochromatic ensemble of 1 color (pink, white, brown). He is also the only person with skin that contrasts to everyone else’s - naturally pulling the eyes towards him, as he stands out. He is the only figure with arms crossed whilst casually leaning against the largest tree in view - a stance of relaxed confidence. Everyone else has arms open. There is a very endearing, mature, and masculine quality to his stance. His tree is the only one that has vines…showcasing their growth upwards, a steady climb higher to the top. His fingers point directly to a ship - the only manmade object in the painting, a symbol of progress…technology…and exploration. He is also the only figure not gazing eagerly at the painter, instead looking off to the side…not seeking approval. You want to know what he is thinking. He looms large over this portrait. In height, in how he connects to the entire background, and in color contrast and contrast of stance/positioning. I imagine someone had him painted over because he does steal the spotlight from the actual family members who were meant to be showcased in this painting. Family members probably got tired of the first comments from onlookers being “Oh wow, who is that tall young man in the back? What’s his story?” Instead of simply “What a fine painting of your children”. You naturally WANT to gaze at him instead of the others. It would be very hard to imagine that the painter wasn’t doing this somewhat intentionally - either at his own accord or at the request of one of the commissioners.

[@veronicaroach3667]

An interesting comment - especially your wondering about the artist - could that have been a someone who was also a person of color ? That might explain the apparent focus of this painting being Belizaire imstead of the other children ! Do theoriginal records give nay indocation of who the artist was ?

[@roddo1955]

I think whomever commissioned the painting was adamant to have him in the portrait. The fact that Frey's wife sold Belizaire after her husband died, makes me think she wasn't that fond of him. And that her husband was the one who demanded Belizaire to portrayed as such. But keep in mind; pictures were a status symbol. A means to show off how wealthy you are. Showing off your kids and your slave dressed like a gentleman. 'Wow....he can afford a house slave! And look at how well dressed he is! What a 'lucky BOY'."

[@MrRufusRToyota]

@@roddo1955Most likely he was the master’s son. This was a common story. That is why he was bought by the master, why he always traveled with the Master, why he was dressed so stylishly, why he was painted with the other children and so lovingly, and why the mistress sold him after the master died and painted over him.

[@MrRufusRToyota]

@@veronicaroach3667This was a commissioned portrait. The children were arranged and portrayed as instructed by the person who commissioned it - most likely the master of the house.

[@OohpreddynailsAngie]

What a beautiful and detailed analysis. I was compelled to watch the video again just to see everything you pointed out. Thank you so much. He was a handsome young man.

[@JessicaNaranjo4094]

Incredible work all throughout, from finding the painting, tracking down Belizare’s identity, to restoring his image, and then telling this story. Amazing work from everyone involved! Thank you 😊

[@kevinchambers1101]

Yes, the painting was very lucky.

[@josephbegniol2051]

Bélizaire is a common last name in Haiti. My great grandfather last name from my mother side was Bélizaire. For wgat I investigated Most of the Bélizaire came from Haiti🤨

[@kevinchambers1101]

@@josephbegniol2051 Frey could have been a sugar plantation owner in Haiti so there could be a tie in there.

[@MissJ970]

What a handsome young man he was too. The sadness and hopelessness in his eyes is heartbreaking. We complain about our modern day servitude to the rich, which is valid, but it pales in comparison to the life he and others like him lived. We will forevermore remember you Belizaire, and not repeat history.

[@beeznhoney4323]

History of Belizare's mother, Sally, is a whole other story likely painted out of history😢 if he was just six years old when first sold, his mother was probably only a kid herself.

[@paradisesunprincess]

Wait wait wait....let me get this straight. This lady donated the painting to the museum in hopes that it would be cared for. Only for them to neglect it for years and then they SOLD IT!

[@princessrosy403]

😮 mind blowing comment! 💯

[@Eveningbreeze721]

That doesn't seem do far fetched for the art world. Especially considering everything else in this story lol

[@verityweekly]

yes that is progress

[@semivibes2515]

Yes but to be fair it worked in the end

[@prettynpetty8342]

I personally love how this portrait had barely any value before a covered up enslaved person showed up. The irony. Every museum needs to check every single portrait for coverups like this.

[@DanielIKing]

Wonderful that there is a community of historians and scholars in Louisiana who are willing and motivated to do this kind of research and to make their findings part of the public record. This is how we come to know our country as it is and not as we would like to pretend it is.

[@lewstone5430]

Well said.

[@s.wilson6770]

Very well said, I couldn't agree more.

[@luzluz7850]

Americans are trying hard to hide the the greatest criminal act(slavery) the same way the identity of the black child was erased from the picture. SMH.

[@ivettesantana4319]

[@AuthorLHollingsworth]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾😇😇😇

[@FinhaBastos]

I cried when they said his name. Bélizaire. A beautiful name. I hope he had a chance to live a long life and to know freedom.

[@cynthiasaracino7114]

What an amazing story. Thank you for sharing. The thoughtfulness of how this painting was handled and restored will allow many to know about that beautiful boy.

[@alyzzz2827]

Belizaire is such a magical name...there are so many beautiful souls that are often overlooked or forgotten, but it's so comforting to know that we're getting closer to unveiling their stories as time passes

[@hellooutthere8956]

I know. The name spoke to me too. I almost cried when they found the name.

[@Sheababybutter]

My last name is Belizaire

[@krystalgaming7742]

I love his last name, beautiful.

[@NighttimeDaydreams]

​@@SheababybutterMaybe you're related. You should try doing family history. There are incredible online tools for doing so!

[@thomastyler3890]

The name "Belizaire" is of Haitian origins, and not of French origins. The French once had colonial control of Haiti so French is spoken in Haiti. Haitians are known to be of the Israelite Tribe of Levi. Also, there is a historical and blood connection between the people of Haiti and the people of Louisiana. The" Belizaire" surname is rare in France and practically non-existent in other European countries. Most of the people with the "Belizaire" name live in Haiti (19,941) and the United States (1,618) . The number of people with this surname in France is 198 and even fewer in other countries. To say that "Belizaire" is a French name is a re-write of history and erases the fact that the Haitians had a glorious history before the French colonialization. Also Haitians self-liberated themselves from French colonial rule around 1804, thus becoming the first country in colonial times to be ruled by former slaves. Zaire is a Bantu word which means "river." This further supports that Bantu/Hebrew influence in Haiti and possibly on the name "Belizaire". In French the word "belle" means beautiful. For example, if you go to the Whitney Planation (located in the state of Louisiana) website you will see that most of the slaves for that plantation were from the Zaire River/Congo area of Africa. The Congo River in Africa was earlier known as the Zaire River. This river is the most powerful river in Africa. The River Gambia was key the Alex Haley's book "Roots." Hailey's main ancestor in this book was Kunta Kinte who was living near the River Gambia when he was captured and later sold into slavery in America. Again Belizaire is not a French name. At timestamp 5:48 the accent mark on the first syllable makes the name look French. But it easily could also indicate that the name is really Hebrew where most frequently the accent is on the last syllable--so here the accent is needed in the first syllable of the name Belizaire so that his name would be pronounced properly . If this is true, then it supports that Haiti had Levitical singers because such accent marks/cantillation marks were used to let Temple singers know how words in a song should be pronounced in The Temple's Hebrew songs. The poetic, musical beauty of the name "Belizaire" is not too surprising given that the Tribe of Levi included many members who were expert Temple musicians as mentioned throughout the Bible. Just like the people of Louisiana, who through the Haitian/Levite connection have contributed by giving the world the poetic, musical beauty of Jazz and other forms of music. Slaves/African American Elders did not name their children "Bob" and "Billy" but often gave them Hebrew names like Beluah, Manesseh, Gamaliel, etc. This continues to this day. If you research the Louisiana Slave census or any American state Slave census of the 17th-18th century it will be filled with Slaves, or those recently brought by slaves ships from Africa, with Hebrew names from the Bible.

[@patriciaschiro2659]

Considering the fact that Coralie sold him after her husband died, I think she probably had him painted out. I feel so bad for him. Here he was important enough to be in a painting as if he is part of the family and then he is thrown away basically and then erased from the art. I’m so glad they were able to bring him back and put the portrait somewhere that he can be seen by the world.

[@neoxochitl]

That’s what I think also. Coralie’s husband paid a huge sum to have him painted so why do that to later sell that very person? It had to have been her. Man I wish we knew more. I also wish we knew were he went after the civil war.

[@outdoorminer5533]

Sold to a plantation, then disappearing after the Civil War... it's sad and at the same time, inspiring how people discover and uncover history.

[@pamelapamper]

​@@neoxochitlmost likely he wasn't a slave at all. There were black ppl living in America before they brought slaves from Africa, maybe whoever covered him up was trying to erase history not a 'slave'.

[@spamozoid2310]

@@pamelapamperwhat do you mean he wasn’t a slave? They showed his and his mothers bill of sale.

[@MSteffen]

Maybe the enslaved boy was her husband's child.

[@pseudopuppy160]

absolute goosebumps for so many reasons. Wonderful to have found him... heartbreaking that he was in his situation... heartbreaking that he was erased... and back again to celebrating to him being revealed again. I love that he was found, and am angry that he was covered.... and sad about all of the events that lead to this wonderful discovery. Glad he's being given at least SOME of the respect he should have been given all along.

[@drgirlfriend211]

Beautiful… thank you for sharing this the world needs to see Belizaires beautiful face and hear his story. This brought tears to me eyes!!

[@12thDecember]

Interesting how Bélizaire is effectively separated from the Frey children in the painting, and he casts his gaze elsewhere rather than upon them. I wonder if this was at the direction of the painter or by request of the Freys. I like the way the painter chose to depict him with a pensive, intelligent look. It's a remarkable painting.

[@desisarod]

it had to be requested by the freys... portraits werent cheap, very few people could have one, that definitely makes me belive that the freys really liked him but when civil war started they parted ways

[@rossothecrimson7]

​@@desisarodmore like the husband liked him, seeing as the wife sold him as soon as the husband died.

[@desisarod]

@@rossothecrimson7 yes, but it was probably cuz of the civil war!.. hey Im not sayig they treated him like a son, but they did like him enough to pay for a painting

[@rossothecrimson7]

@@desisarod ah yeah, I see what you mean now. Dang. Poor kid/family.

[@desisarod]

@@rossothecrimson7 yeah

[@pumkinpie7780]

I got chills when they said his name. They enslaved him, used him, tortured him and tried to erase him in benefit of their image. Great job done to these passionate people.

[@Loachie90]

What kind of torture?

[@jacksbutts6990]

@@Loachie90 Slavery, are you dumb?

[@emilerose1424]

@@Loachie90 Try being enslaved; you might be able to answer your own question about the torture.

[@Loachie90]

@@emilerose1424 oh were you enslaved?

[@emilerose1424]

@@Loachie90 You missed the point--probably on purpose. Bye bye.

[@MadeInKanadaa]

That was probably Frey mixed son and that was a painting of all of his children. After Frey died the wife sold him off the plantation and faded him out the picture.

[@addangel]

man.. as if it wasn’t bad enough that he was sold as a slave at 6 and listed as “property”, what truly got me emotional was how carelessly he was tossed aside after more than a decade of service and sold to a plantation. on christmas no less. this child (and so many others) deserved better.

[@nicholasmcintyre6862]

I graduated from art school in 2020 and out of all the various art history lessons I was taught, none compare to the fascination and emotion I get from Belizaire's story and his portrait. Looking at him and reading his body language, it's as if I can hear his thoughts, feel his emotions, he practically jumps off the canvas and his presence demands your attention! My eyes immediately go to him upon first glance. It's scary and beautiful at the same time. Long live Belizaire, I'm sorry your world did not value you. He probably NEVER imagined he would be discovered and his story told on the world stage more than a century later. Art is insane.

[@crishnaholmes7730]

What do you get from his body language

[@deowil1]

It was meant for the world to know about Belizaire and now he will be in our hearts forever, and ever.

[@adrianmainz2716]

really ? this painting nobody cares about, you claim it is the best in the world ?

[@edemontfort9482]

​​@@crishnaholmes7730 His pose and the look on his face indicated to me that he was felt a number of emotions. The space between himself and the others indicates that he was with them but not of them. He leaned away, against the tree. That may have been his choice. I cannot imagine the painter would have suggested that he do that because the boy was clearly important enough to the family to be included. He looked a bit sad, perhaps bored that he'd had to stand for so long. He was a teenager and perhaps was wishing that he could spend that time elsewhere with others his age. He was a boy caught between two worlds and possibly not completely comfortable with either. As one who studied art conservation I'm impressed with the professional efforts to restore this rare painting and bring it to public notice.

[@crishnaholmes7730]

@@edemontfort9482 ok do you still work in art

[@ink3539]

The dedication of a small team of people gave him his name back, this is amazing, it could have been lost forever

[@kimciszek-kane397]

❤

[@DomiLuv1]

Wow... breathtaking... This was magnificent 🙏🏽 Thank you to everyone involved in the restoration of this painting and ultimately the restoration of this boy's story...❤❤❤❤!

[@slioness0078]

This was really nice to watch how everything came together

[@prodbycha]

The “mistakes happen” guy needs to be looked into.

[@360.Tapestry]

go ahead. look into it

[@beatriceaboa9031]

I agree. He took office just A YEAR, right after the painting was handed to the museum. So the painting wasn't buried deep in their archives by then. He knew of the painting & didn't care to hang it & so, he didn't see the need to restore or conserve it anyways. I bet he thought it would've been a waste of the museum's money🤦🏼‍♀️😒

[@physicsguybrian]

Mistakes do happen and clearly the pompous entitled aristocrat museum director is one of them. Cavalier dismissal of something this important....nauseating.

[@Nzappreciator110]

​@@beatriceaboa9031 What are you infering lol. Are you saying he is racist or doesnt treat blacks like special needs children like the leftists expect everyone to 😂

[@michaelshelbyedwards]

Your guys are obsessed

[@kayzeaza]

Art restoration is one of the craziest things to me. Incredible what technology and professional individuals can accomplish

[@cocofluff]

Thank goodness the artist who painted him out did such a lousy job. I have no idea how a museum curator would not be curious about who was painted out and why. They just stored it because they didn't know who painted it? I would be so curious as an art lover.

[@andrejohnson6731]

It’s touching how Bélizaire was brought out of obscurity and into light again after not only being enslaved, but being erased from the portrait. As soon as her husband died, that evil lady sold Bélizaire… on Christmas! Then they almost erased him from history, but he now has a face, a name, his place in history. He is not forgotten ❤

[@victorharris5226]

Great job, Jeremy. It was a sad story but a wonderful story that you brought to light. I truly appreciate it...🙂✊️

[@feralbluee]

when they said, “Bélizaire’s bill of sale” my stomach dropped, my whole body felt it. it never hit me so physically before. that sensitive little boy at age 6. Still, i am so glad he was with his mother. the painter really felt that boy’s feelings the other children are smiling, but his body is pulling away and he looks lost. - so interesting the painter acknowledged him. so if it was 1828, he probably was in late 40’s during the Civil war. . . hope he found a decent life.

[@abramlittle7102]

Athletes get sold all the time

[@gabs3174]

​@@abramlittle7102 do they get beaten with whips or hanged for leaving? Do they have a choice in where they go & If they play?

[@mrartdeco]

@@gabs3174if they don’t play their career might be over. Sometimes they also have a damaged muscle/tendons but still forced to play “for the clubs/country”. The muscles snapped and it take 6-12 months to recover and most of the time ends their career. So yeah.. modern day slavery albeit having more freedom and good food.

[@Doomscrolled]

You are making a ridiculous comparison. It is child like. @@mrartdeco

[@Samavery999]

​@mrartdeco To compare Slavery to Basketball is so wildly idiotic and disrespectful. Log off, go back to school, and learn to be quiet when what you want to say is completely stupid.

[@maodonimega]

He is standing to the side, apart from the real family, with his arms across his body and his (sad) eyes averted. That tells me everything. How many of us can imagine the pain of being sold away from our families? How many mothers have to stand by powerless as their young sons are taken away on long trips by men who own their bodies? No wonder depictions of enslaved people are rare. Too much shame.

[@alamaaya2335]

right

[@purplelove3666]

You act like these children didn't have fathers or something, and you do know that some Africans sold other Africans , right? You might want to catch up to history

[@thispersonrighthere9024]

that boy was massa's kid!

[@maodonimega]

I do know Africans were sold by other Africans. Native Americans, Europeans and Asians have also had histories of enslavement of their own people. Still going on today. It's just who humans are. We behave in disgusting ways sometimes...alas. I also know that once the enslaved Africans were sold to a white owner it didn't matter whether they had fathers or not. They could be used or sold away at any time. I suggest you read Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Ta Ne Hesi Coates, Zorah Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Percival Everett, James McBride among other stellar African American writers to get an idea of what that was like, and the lasting effects of being treated as less than human.@@purplelove3666

[@symonnej]

@@purplelove3666thats not the point😭. no one is erasing the history of africans who sold their own people. but y’all love to bring that up whenever people talk about american slavery🤦🏽‍♀️, as a way to diminish the effects & feelings towards american slavery. it was bad! literally every culture has enslaved their own people or sold their people. no one is saying that what africans did to their own is justified. but if the topic is american slavery, then ITS ABOUT AMERICAN SLAVERY. theres no need to bring anything else up

[@plantemor]

I'm glad Bélizare has been restored to history. He existed. He deserves to be seen.

[@paulanicole4786]

wow, i randomly was in NOLA last fall and i saw the painting at the museum there and got to read a bit about the history but this video really provided so much more, thank you for making it! incredible that its in the met now.

[@bsmartcoaching]

Every time I hear the word "sold" as in "he was sold", or "she was sold" my heart breaks. In 2023, Florida is trying to teach that balck people benefited from slavery. Deplorable.

[@gorillaglue7232]

But true.

[@WackyChu]

@@gorillaglue7232false

[@ArielCotton]

@@gorillaglue7232what is true?

[@celinasjourney]

Nothing, they are sick and delusional

[@inedanap6253]

Booo, stop spreading more lies about Florida. There are actual human rights violations and social justice problems that need to be solved, spreading rumors helps nobody

[@lurker2147]

Poor Bélizaire, to grow up living in a house where he was so close to living the life of a free (affluent) person, yet so far away at the same time, to spend years taking care of the children and living moments with the family, only to be sold on Christmas Eve (!!) to a plantation where he probably did hard labour. The wife must have hated him because he was probably the result of an affair of her husband, but still, so cruel. I just hope he was able to have a good life after the Civil War

[@camilavega1114]

He was bought when he was 6, which makes it highly unlikely for him to be the masters son.

[@Commandotoad]

​@@camilavega1114... not necessarily. The master could have visited the mother at the other plantation. Horrifically, these things did happen.

[@SunnyGirlFlorida]

Supposedly, he was a domestic and kitchen worker after being sold. The two girls in the family (aged 5 and 9) died the same year the painting was finished and the boy shortly after.

[@GabdeVue]

I am very touched by this story. The documentary is so well made and it was so interesting to follow this detective work and see it acknowledged by being presented in such a prestigious museum. Thank you so much for shedding this light. Also very impressed by the restoration work. Its invisible! incredible. I also teared up when Bélizaire was named.

[@lavenderflowersfall280]

Such intricate research, sociological and racial history! You guys deserve a medal. This is EXACTLY what I love; people getting recognized and given the love and respect they deseve. 😊

[@jameswilliams3241]

"Mistakes happen " especially when there's a predisposition to make them when it involves people of color who were "unimportant" or just property.

[@reneedennis2011]

Yup.

[@janebaker4912]

...but the figure was hidden. How could it be racist move if he didn't know the hidden figure was black. Genuine question

[@nymeria7239]

And that self-satisfied smirk when he said it....

[@partyinthecloudkingdom]

@@janebaker4912 there was very clearly a figure that had been painted over, and the museum records documented that the previous owners said there was a 4th figure of an enslaved person

[@jenniferlynn3537]

It could be argued that because the artist hadn’t been identified and the painting had been re-worked from what it was originally, it wasn’t considered as valuable - hence its sale. While it *eventually* became clear a figure had obviously been painted out, what was under the paint was unknown. Under those conditions, the New Orleans museum might not have been motivated to spend money on its restoration.

[@kittymervine6115]

I admit when I heard Katy said the name, I teared up. Bless her for her job and hard work that means so much.

[@littlehouseinthebigapple5716]

Same…. It’s like breathing life into the story. He existed. He was here.

[@Tyster81]

I did as well

[@Jihada]

same here

[@derricklangford4725]

Yeah, she rocks 🤗

[@thamertanner5448]

I did too, it was an incredibly powerful and emotional moment. So many slaves were never recorded by name, it's amazing they were able to find that.

[@That6ftChick]

This work is so extremely important. I applaud it. I have tried searching for my lineage and I have failed. It's so tough. Without knowing those people who have come before me it feels like there's a piece of me missing that I can't seem to uncover.

[@drehouse5733]

Amazing - My heart felt every bit of this story, truly touching. I commend the people who took the time to bring this painting back to life, displaying its original form and providing its true history. Thank you for giving us Belizaire back.

[@XtianJade]

BELIZAIRE. I love his name. It's sad that he and his mother were sold when he was 6 years old. It's even more heartbreaking that the next owner of the painting had him covered up. Nevertheless, the truth came out and he is now known and seen. I admire the group of people who worked tirelessly to bring Belizaire to light. To think that they could've simply let it go. You people are amazing!

[@mariocaballero9307]

Prisoner of war

[@karmad4491]

"Belizaire was of mixed race and was brought into the Frey household at age 6 with his mother, Sally." I wonder who his father was. Where was his mother from? At first I thought maybe his father might be the patriarch of the Frey family. So many questions - we'll never know the whole story. I'm glad we have his image restored in the painting, at least. He was a beautiful child.

[@strange144]

Almost certainly not, given that Belizaire was 6 when he and his mother were bought by the Frey household.

[@agenttheater5]

do we know who owned them before? Because then the patriarch of the last family to own them, or at least a male relative in that family might be the father@@strange144

[@melodramatic7904]

​@strange144 That doesn't prove nor disprove anything. There was a woman named Dido Belle (there's a movie about her). She was a mixed race British aristocrat. White father, African mother. She was brought to Britian until she was 4. It could have been a similar story with thia boy. He could have been fathered by the patriarch of thay family while overseas and couldn't be brought to the states until he was 6. All of that was just to say it's possible. I don't think anyone will every know for sure. It WOULD explain why he was included in a portrait with the children AND why he was later painted out though. 😂

[@LC-le9ew]

I hope that any existing family will have some DNA testing to see if they can uncover any relatives (if Bèlizaire is at all related).

[@angelaj8958]

British law held that children belonged to the father, and were entitled to their support, which is why Dido was taken back to Britain. Her grandfather was in Parliament and instrumental in getting slavery ended in British colonies. Dido married a white man, and had children, and a fairly normal British life as an adult. There were no such laws in the US. @@melodramatic7904

[@annatjeh]

What an amazing story! Thank you for sharing this.

[@user-tw3ty4tk9g]

Museum Director so casual turned my stomach. Thank you for bringing this haunting story to light and all involved with the restoration.

[@100amps]

From my perspective as a non-American, this is a sad story, with bright moments and a wonderful resolution in that one shameful wrong was undone. I hope more of these stories can be found and told, and more shameful wrongs can be undone. It leaves me with a frustrating feeling of too little done, too late.

[@yuhz1m1]

yup.

[@stilettodivah]

It makes you wonder how many other painting like this are out there or being hidden in museum basements.

[@bibianaguadalupeislasherre9880]

Unfortunately, some people are trying to either erase or whitewash what actually and pretend to see it through rose colored glasses.

[@suziecreamcheese211]

Where are you from?

[@hsmd4533]

Definitely Trump’s fault.

[@leightonolsson4846]

I find the artists depection brilliant - silently acknowledging the boy's position - so intimately involved in the care of the slave owners children children yet so completely separate and lacking in such security they enjoyed, conveyed through the posture and distance of his figure and most of all, the eyes that convey something I can't quite find the words to convey. Anxiety and tension? A melancholic resentment? Astonishing work of art.

[@missmystery1212]

Wow you should be a writer

[@StRaWbeRrYsasha]

The fact that the boy was painted over, gives life to the expression on his face. It highlights the reality of being disposable, involved but never on par and therefore detached and and anxious

[@ashesandposies]

You guys forget he was the family’s favorite slave thats the whole reason he was even painted in, their family wanted him to be in the photo and we don’t know if he wanted to be in the photo or not also those children have to stand for a portrait for a long time and it is horrible boring. So I wouldn’t read too much into the portrait

[@leightonolsson4846]

Yeah I guess the master had an avuncular interest in him, but the widowed mistress got rid of him asap. I think you are missing the point 'favourite' jeez he was A SLAVE stop trying ways to make excuses and fudge the truth FFS

[@ashesandposies]

@@leightonolsson4846 they said he was his favorite in the video silly

[@angelacooper4448]

Thank you. History like this is so important and is so close to being irretrievably lost.

[@sis4482]

Thank you for sharing this story ✨

[@ligarowe3300]

Wow! Thanks to the diligence of those who sought to restore the painting and the existence of Bélizaire.

[@pasha4bedrocrecords]

The gentleman at the museum that said “it was a mistake & mistakes happen” is an insult to Black ppl and the lineage of the young man’s family that’s displayed in the portrait!

[@SunnyGirlFlorida]

He didn't know what the painting would reveal when the museum owned it. It was donated in 1972 and sold in 2005. They didn't destroy it, they sold it to someone else that loved art. He did not disparage anyone in the painting or their family. What's the big deal? You are taking this personally for no reason. Their actions are not racially motivated. No one did anything wrong.

[@TracyD2]

@@SunnyGirlFloridaPeople love to latch on to being offended. I’m not saying what happened to the boy was right by any means. I stay vigilant so the we don’t slide back into ignorance but don’t replace it with another form of ignorance.

[@bigharp0949]

This. The dismissal of guilt. This is what happened to our ancestors time and time again after suffering horrible fates

[@yeyosilver7067]

Lol

[@Maggie-tq1du]

Oh please...

[@missmacygirl]

This is an incredible story. Thank you for sharing!

[@CeruleanSky1111]

This is an absolutely fascinating story. Thank you!

[@nicolelatson2677]

It looks so much more balanced with the 4th figure then without. It’s heartbreaking to see how people would deface a painting just because of color.

[@WholeHeartily]

Painting was the least of their worries

[@user-pz3et9yb1f]

They were pushing a narrative at that time. Now they are pushing a narrative to keep us divided.

[@brando5651]

Happens everyday all over the world, defacing people because of color in real life

[@SunnyGirlFlorida]

Did they erase him becasue of color or because they did not see him as family?

[@nicolelatson2677]

@@SunnyGirlFlorida color.

[@pamelas1002]

As soon as his name was said, "Belizaire" I began to cry. Happy tears! Blessed be my ancestors, lost to history.

[@PHlophe]

awww Pammie i'm bout to cry too . i am 100% sure he was the child of Coraly's husband . when this goes in display they should add a sticker next to it that said " Coraly dunworth sold him off to the nearest plantation. that way we ain't gon pretend "oh he was family"

[@pamelas1002]

@@PHlophe Right!

[@Ashlieskye]

truly beautiful work

[@sugarfreeshanita9606]

Thank you for sharing this story!

[@mntryjoseph1961]

May Bélizaire’ rest in peace. Never to be forgotten!

[@margiesoapyhairbillian4754]

🙏 🙏 Amen

[@jeanius8831]

rip. ❤❤❤

[@isabt4]

Thank you for telling this very important story! It symbolizes what has been done, and is still being done to our American history: erasing the deeply cruel injustices committed against fellow Americans of African descent. We cannot reach our ideals as a country if we fail to study and observe straight on, these terrible injustices. If African Americans had the courage to live through this, white Americans can at least now have the courage to look at it straight on!

[@Firinne2023]

👏 I wish I could “like” your comment more than once.

[@fellowadult]

like all the liberals asking for statues to be torn down😂 they're the same ones who enslaved people made fortunes and now want to hide it

[@mrfish.-]

Beautifully put! 🙌🏾

[@findingbeautyinthepain8965]

I actually think the saddest part is the boy was NOT covered up because the family was embarrassed of taking part in slavery. My family only came to America in the early 1900’s, but if I had found out my family owned slaves in the past, I could see being embarrassed enough to hide it. I mean, displaying a painting like that would sort of seem like bragging that they used to own slaves, wouldn’t it? (It’s hard to know what to do in these situations, which is why it’s so vital to have POC decide what they feel is best.) I could forgive someone being so embarrassed and horrified by their family owning human beings, that they covered it up. However, I can absolutely NOT forgive this family covering this up, because they were embarrassed their white children were standing with an African child. How utterly disgusting! Instead of being ashamed of owning human beings, they were ashamed their children had so many interactions with an African child. Side note: I would love to know how the children reacted when this boy was sold away. I know a lot of slave owner’s children formed really close bonds with enslaved children. I would assume these children would be furious and heartbroken about their friend being sold away. It always astounded me how slaves owners thought their kids could play with enslaved people’s kids without their kids realizing that enslaved people’s kids were exactly the same, other than having such different lifestyles and privileges, as them.

[@mamadouaziza2536]

​@@findingbeautyinthepain8965 Many of these biracial and mixed children of color were actually relatives of their slave owners.. Many were educated along with their White brothers, sisters and cousins. There are many actual photographs of well dressed enslaved people standing along side their White Masters and White Mistresses.. You can tell some of the slaves were biracial/mixed by their facial features and hair textures compared to full Africans.

[@lilliancathrynperry8827]

This painting is so beautiful and amazing I love it. Being that my son’s are mixed it is truly important that they see the history of their culture in museums everywhere.

[@lindashelby2246]

My heart hurts and still am hurting. I can barely look at my grandfathers picture and smile because I see along sad pain and even after many years every picture look the same😞😪. I see pain 😢.

[@sues4370]

This makes me appreciate art more. I'm grateful for Jeremy and all the others who worked with him to restore this painting and include Belizaire's story. I'm also glad The Met is making it available for a larger audience. At least the museum in Louisiana didn't just throw away the painting.

[@jennifergarnatz6860]

The may have, had they know it hid a black child

[@gladyswandia8191]

😢 This is a beautiful story. I teared up when they finally found out who he was. I hope Belizaire survived this awful society 😔

[@janetbeam3087]

I am sure he is dead by now.

[@barbaramartin6401]

No mistakes

[@cocofluff]

The America in which he lived was a million times worse than the America in which we live. How any slaves survived that world is beyond me.

[@tatienono]

For justice to be served we have to call it. That's how it works. I've seen it. Stay blessed ❤

[@NighttimeDaydreams]

​@@janetbeam3087no kidding!! They meant they hoped he survived until after the emancipation proclamation. Not that he survived til today.

[@user-wx9jo6st7f]

This was common, when erasing someone out of the will. How many aunts and uncles were "painted out of the picture." the original "coverup" I would live to see a forensic art story on that.

[@pamelafox7677]

He’s in the back and a slave, but his nonchalant stance is so dignified. It makes it a much better painting. No word on the painter.

[@celinasjourney]

Well, he was simply a person being held against his will in the end. That's what a slave is.

[@turtledove92]

Enslaved

[@Mmayo15]

Am I the only one that feels.....rpe. blush cheeks..very feminine in art technique....idk 🤷

[@fart63]

@@Mmayo15what?

[@fart63]

@@Mmayo15all people looked like that in old paintings. Everybody had the same face in portraits 150+ years ago. If you’re trying to say he looks feminine, so did all other men in portraits back then. And in general, because men used to wear wigs, makeup, and heels

[@junejunejuniejune]

So incredibly sad that Bélizaire was valued enough to be put into this family portrait, but then just sold off like nothing after the father passed, and erased like he was never there.

[@rollingthunder8223]

He was there father's child

[@cocofluff]

They are so full of hate, their hatred transcends death. But Belizaire gets the last laugh. That painting will become famous, just because HE is in it!

[@ChassityNOubre_88]

WOW😮 people from my city/home state found this. Thanks to all who brought this to light🖤

[@janetlorna07]

Goosebumps to SAY HIS NAME! ✊🏾

[@nvgirl1807]

Watching the museum director shrug and say mistakes happen, summed up his ego perfectly. Thankfully we don't all go through life with that mantra

[@Elle-vm3ge]

Mistakes do happen though. We don’t know enough context around the decision. He has put his hands up and said he made a mistake.

[@privatedonut2914]

​@@Elle-vm3ge You may want to read more comments and probably rewatch the video to understand why people keep pointing out why that fool of museum director was messed up.

[@karmad4491]

I read an article today about Frederick Frey. The article was from an Ogden Museum of Southern Art publication advertising the painting's exhibit from July 2022 to January 2023. (If I include the link, YT deletes my comment.) My understanding is that Frey was a German businessman. His wife, Coralie, bought Sally and Belizaire from her husband, Frederick, when assets were sold to pay debts. Frey was doing well financially when the portrait was painted; but lost his fortune during an economic depression. Belizaire was sold to Evergreen Plantation, BUT WAS BOUGHT BACK LATER .BY THE FAMILY According to the article, Belizaire lived to adulthood, while the other three children in the painting did not. The article still left questions about exactly when and how Belizaire and Sally originally came into the Frey household. When were they originally bought? When Coralee bought Sally and Belizaire from Frederick? Or some time earlier? Around 1900, Belizaire's image was painted over - too late to have been commissioned by Coralee. The descendants who inherited the painting apparently had a problem with Belizaire's image being included - to the extent that they had an artist erase him.

[@kirpdeb]

I think that there is a family resemblance between all of the children including Belizaire. That would explain his elevated position and inclusion in this family portrait.

[@maggiel.516]

@@kirpdebI suspect that might be down to the artist's technique.

[@stopthecrazyguy9948]

What article? Always cite your source. "I read an article in the _____ today...."

[@JoRiver11]

@@maggiel.516 Yes, I would be inclined to agree that the artist's style is the reason for that.

[@EvelynMangooose]

​@@stopthecrazyguy9948BÉLIZAIRE AND THE FREY CHILDREN on the Ogden Museum website.

[@DougiePlaysSoccer]

This is astonishing work! ❤

[@deborahblount8571]

Thank you this story. 🙏🏽 Handsome young man and a beautiful name. 🙌🏽 Restoring the picture was amazing you could definitely see they covered him up. He has his dignity in portrait now visually displayed for all to see. Bravo for tge work you are doing

[@takishaedwards273]

I hope Belizaire can rest peacefully knowing he will not be forgotten now. These stories are important

[@elseby]

Ironic that the person who tried to erase his existence got him into one of the most prestigious art collections on the planet.

[@bishopsgyal]

Loved this. Thank you 🙏🏾

[@oviniratubalavu2328]

Thanks for the good work ❤❤❤..power to you.

[@kittymervine6115]

the FAMILY told the first museum, that there was a SLAVE covered up in there. They never thought that it was IMPORTANT? Especially considering the history, they knew it was hugely important. I'm so glad this was saved.

[@3namechangezalowdevry90day7]

It's like priceless object hoarding disorder behind the scenes. There are stacks of actual mummified pharaohs in the basements of Egyptian museums.

[@roserocks1979]

Because they didn't want to fix the painting.

[@3namechangezalowdevry90day7]

Ever seen Antiques Roadshow? Every item that gets brought in is "priceless" and there's almost always a "family legend". Then, most of the items turn out to be crap, just really old. There's no "conspiracy to hide black people" here. Face it, if someone was out to convince people that slavery wasn't that bad they'd WANT this painting restored and shown ASAP! Then, they could say " He's well dressed and treated like family! Free room and board just for babysitting!"

[@cosmicmuffin322]

​​@@3namechangezalowdevry90day7Exactly. There's no evil racist art world agenda, just the fact that museums have limited wall space..... But of course stories like this need a bad guy to wag our fingers at. The truth is usually more complex.

[@ddot9566]

@@3namechangezalowdevry90day7 Lol, you'd have a hard time making your case since they sold him off as soon as the husband died. That's not a family anyone would want to be a part of.