Who was the enslaved Black child depicted in famous 18th-century portrait? Researchers can now tell his story
- Posted on May 8, 2026
- By CNN
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- 1 min read
Who was the enslaved Black child depicted in famous 18th-century portrait? Researchers can now tell his story
The depiction of an enslaved Black child known as “Jersey” by celebrated 18th-century portrait painter Joshua Reynolds has long puzzled art historians, raising questions about the boy’s identity and life — and whether or not he was even real.
