Out of Darkness Into Light

Unidentified Artist · c. 1881

At the center of this complex poster, a young man extends his hand toward a symbolic representation of Lady Liberty, who points the way toward the future. The path she indicates leads to a series of promising possibilities: a model farm, academy, college, West Point, and, ultimately, the U.S. Capitol. Vignettes show other figures pursuing productive activities. During the late nineteenth century, inspirational posters such as this found a market among the burgeoning African American middle class.