Renaissance People of Color

 Perhaps it is just another example of how flawed  our educational system is, or the media's fault for portraying everyone living before 1850 as having a British accent, but there is a definite problem with how people of color are often represented when talking about renaissance Europe.  All too often the word "slave" is immediately associated with people of African decent, but I think this is just an example of how our modern conceptions of racism have altered our perceptions of past.

As we learned in class today, the majority of slaves in renaissance Europe before the 15th century were non African natives hailing from the black sea area. What we also know is that during renaissance times, there were many well renowned historical figures that earned titles as respectable as "Saint" despite being of African descent. One such individual was Saint Maurice as portrayed by  in this painting "Saint Maurice and his companions."

Maurice was born and raised near Egypt in a city called Thebes. At a young age he joined the Roman army and was gradually promoted until he became the leader of the Thebian legion. His legion, which was reported to be composed of all Christian men, was ordered by Maximian to march to Gaul in order to quell a revolt. While there, Maximian ordered Maurice and his legion to harass some of the local Christians. They refused, and as a result all 6,600 soldiers in the union were eventually killed. 

Saint Maurice's veneration took place way back in 926. But since he is known as the patron saint of swords, sword makers, weavers, armies, and cramps, it's no wonder he was quite the popular saint during renaissance times. Thus motivating Nicklaus Glockenden I to make this painting of him in 1524.

"Saint Maurice." Wikipedia. N.p., 5 Oct. 2011. Web. 2 Oct. 2013.

"People of Color in European Art History." Tumblr. N.p., 23 Sept. 2013. Web. 2 Oct. 2013.