Illustration for "George Washington Jones: A Christmas Gift That Went A-Begging"

This drawing illustrates a scene from a sentimental novel about a young African American orphan in Reconstruction-era New Orleans. The title character, George, dresses to present himself as a Christmas gift to potential employers in emulation of his late, enslaved grandfather, who had been given to the master’s daughter. Although the novel portrays George as a plucky and industrious hero, it also suggests that African Americans were content to follow old patterns of servitude, perpetuating a stereotype that assuaged some white readers’ anxieties about racial tensions following the Civil War.

In the drawing, Edward Potthast sensitively captured George’s humble circumstances and complex emotions with careful attention to telling details, such as the crumbling wall in the cramped garret and the too-short jacket sleeve. The boy’s erect posture and uptilted head convey determination, but his reflected expression in the mirror is apprehensive. The strong contrast in lighting further enhances the narrative drama, while also foretelling what is presented in the novel as a brighter future for George.