Jamaica, the third largest island of the Greater Antilles. A small paradise very close to Cuba. When you think of Jamaica, you think of tree-covered green mountains, karst landscapes, tropical vegetation and, above all, long and white sandy beaches. A dream for nature lovers and lovers of exotic animals. The pictures of Adolphe Duperly and his sons tell an earlier part of the history of this island and show the development shortly after the abolition of slavery. Indeed, Jamaica, occupied first by Spain and then by Great Britain, was marked by rebellions like no other island. Just under three million people inhabit the island today. More than 90 percent of them are descendants of slaves. The people abducted there from Africa work on the sugar cane plantations without any personal rights. In the early 19th century, the overseas trade in slaves was banned and more and more unrest broke out. Eventually, the Slavery Abolition Act was passed, which led to the abolition of slavery. During these riots, the French lithographer Adolphe Duperly also came to the beautiful island. He created several remarkable prints during this time. These were called by him "occurences", that is, events. By doing so, he drew attention to the timelessness of this type of art. He also included slaves in his paintings and depicted them in an individualized way. This indicates a first confrontation and transition from formerly enslaved to free inhabitants.
Duperly subsequently even settled in Jamaica and established a business there as well. Shortly after photography became public in France, Duperly also continued to expand his passion for the new medium. According to advertisements, he founded a photography company in Jamaica in 1840. This was only a year after the photographic process was first introduced to the public in Paris! He gained notoriety for his series titled "Daguerreian Excursions to Jamaica." These were even exhibited in Paris. His son, Henri Louis Duperly, later followed in his father's footsteps. He was active worldwide. He accompanied the construction of the Panama Canal photographically and also worked in Colombia. The photography company was operated by the Duperly family until the 20th century. His company presented photographs in their published book, Picturesque Jamaica. The photos were also sold as postcards to tourists. The pretty pictures were intended to erase the fears of potential travelers and show that Jamaica was not a feral place. Therefore, the pictures show artfully cultivated nature, neat scenes from the jungle with banana carriers, plantation workers, native huts and plants. Impressions that made the tourist of the time curious. A place you want to visit. Until today.
Jamaica, the third largest island of the Greater Antilles. A small paradise very close to Cuba. When you think of Jamaica, you think of tree-covered green mountains, karst landscapes, tropical vegetation and, above all, long and white sandy beaches. A dream for nature lovers and lovers of exotic animals. The pictures of Adolphe Duperly and his sons tell an earlier part of the history of this island and show the development shortly after the abolition of slavery. Indeed, Jamaica, occupied first by Spain and then by Great Britain, was marked by rebellions like no other island. Just under three million people inhabit the island today. More than 90 percent of them are descendants of slaves. The people abducted there from Africa work on the sugar cane plantations without any personal rights. In the early 19th century, the overseas trade in slaves was banned and more and more unrest broke out. Eventually, the Slavery Abolition Act was passed, which led to the abolition of slavery. During these riots, the French lithographer Adolphe Duperly also came to the beautiful island. He created several remarkable prints during this time. These were called by him "occurences", that is, events. By doing so, he drew attention to the timelessness of this type of art. He also included slaves in his paintings and depicted them in an individualized way. This indicates a first confrontation and transition from formerly enslaved to free inhabitants.
Duperly subsequently even settled in Jamaica and established a business there as well. Shortly after photography became public in France, Duperly also continued to expand his passion for the new medium. According to advertisements, he founded a photography company in Jamaica in 1840. This was only a year after the photographic process was first introduced to the public in Paris! He gained notoriety for his series titled "Daguerreian Excursions to Jamaica." These were even exhibited in Paris. His son, Henri Louis Duperly, later followed in his father's footsteps. He was active worldwide. He accompanied the construction of the Panama Canal photographically and also worked in Colombia. The photography company was operated by the Duperly family until the 20th century. His company presented photographs in their published book, Picturesque Jamaica. The photos were also sold as postcards to tourists. The pretty pictures were intended to erase the fears of potential travelers and show that Jamaica was not a feral place. Therefore, the pictures show artfully cultivated nature, neat scenes from the jungle with banana carriers, plantation workers, native huts and plants. Impressions that made the tourist of the time curious. A place you want to visit. Until today.
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