At first glance, Eyre Crowe's painting "After the Sale: Slaves Going South from Richmond" appears chaotic. Enslaved people are loaded onto a train, their faces etched with anxiety and uncertainty.
The most egregious principle is the commodification of human beings. Enslaved people are depicted as mere objects, bought and sold like any other property. This is evident in their lack of agency and the nonchalant demeanor of the slave traders.
The scene is driven by the economic imperative of the time. The burgeoning cotton industry in the Deep South fueled the demand for slaves, leading to their forced removal from Virginia. The painting reflects the economic power of this system.