In this photograph Isaac Julien made a portrait of Frederick Douglass and his horse. Douglass stares into the distance, he has a frown on his face while he leads his horse on his holster. The title The Chattel Becomes a Man is a reference to a quote in Douglass’ book My Bondage my Freedom. In the quote he describes his newfound experience of physical freedom and social dignity after moving to Britain.
“Eleven days and a half gone, and I have crossed three thousand miles of the perilous deep. Instead of the bright, blue sky of America, I am covered with the soft, gray fog. I breathe, and lo! the chattel becomes a man. I gaze around in vain for one who will question my equal humanity, claim me as his slave, or offer me an insult .I am seated beside white people—I reach the hotel—I enter the same door—I am shown into the same parlor—I dine at the same table—and no one is offended.”
Isaac Julien’s portrait of Douglass echoes this feeling of freedom. The photograph presents him moving forward, taking matters into his own hands while leading his horse through the fields of Scotland.