When you go out to fight for independence but forgot to lock up the slaves

A classic piece of historical irony — the American revolutionaries fought for “independence” while keeping human beings in chains.

The image shows 18th-century colonial soldiers about to embark on a campaign, presumably the American War of Independence. The center figure’s facepalm pose perfectly captures the moment of realization: “Wait, we’re fighting for liberty… but we own slaves?”

The artwork is a period-style watercolor showing Continental Army soldiers in dark blue coats with red trim and tricorn hats, with a sailing ship anchored offshore. The disconnect between the lofty ideals of the revolution and the reality of chattel slavery is one of the most glaring contradictions in American history.