Queen or 'Maam' of the Set-Girls
This lithograph shows the female leader of a performance group, called the Set-Girls, standing alone in a large and colourful dress. According to Belisario, "she is invested with absolute authority, which. . . she exercises with unsparing severity, as may be inferred by the cow-skin whip borne in her hand. Her costume is elaborate and although the ornaments displayed are probably the loan of her mistress, the remainder of the dress is invariably purchased by herself." Isaac Mendes Belisario (1795–1849) was a Jamaican artist of Jewish descent and active in Kingston Jamaica around British emancipation in 1833. The image shown here, as well as others of “John-Canoes,” was drawn from life by Belisario in 1836. This lithograph is one of twelve originally published in three parts, four plates at a time. See also image Belisario02.
Image Title
Queen or 'Maam' of the Set-Girls
RegID
SI-OB-913
Date
1837
Title
Queen or 'Maam' of the Set-Girls
Source
Isaac Mendes Belisario, Sketches of character, in illustration of the habits, occupation, and costume of the Negro population, in the island of Jamaica: drawn after nature, and in lithography (Kingston, Jamaica: published by the artist, at his residence, 1837-1838).
Language
English
Item sets
Music, Dance & Recreational Activities
Spatial Coverage
Caribbean--Jamaica--Kingston
Researchers
Jerome Handler; Michael Tuite; Henry B. Lovejoy Graduate Research Assistants: Tiffany Beebe; Travis May
Last Updated
13-May-16; 3-Sep-19
Identifier
Belisario04