Skip to main content

Primary sourcePhotograph1864

Sojourner Truth, photographed by Mathew Brady, 1864

Mathew Benjamin Brady · 1864

A studio portrait of Sojourner Truth taken by well-known Civil War-era photographer Mathew Brady in 1864.

This 1864 studio photograph by Mathew Brady depicts Sojourner Truth directly, documenting her public image during the Civil War.

Ask Sojourner Truth about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Sepia photograph of an elderly Black woman seated, facing the camera, wearing a white head covering, wire-rimmed spectacles, a striped fringed shawl over a dark dress, and holding folded papers in her right hand. Printed mount reads 'Brady, New York'.
Mathew Brady, photograph of Sojourner Truth, 1864.

About this source

What it is

This is a sepia photograph taken in 1864 by photographer Mathew Brady. It shows an elderly Black woman seated and facing the camera, wearing a white head covering, wire-rimmed spectacles, a striped fringed shawl, and holding folded papers.

Why it matters

The photograph is a primary-source image of Sojourner Truth, the abolitionist and women's rights activist, made during her lifetime by a leading commercial photographer of the era. Brady's studio produced many well-known portraits of public figures during the Civil War period, and this image documents how Truth presented herself to the public.

Look closer

  • What does her clothing and posture suggest about how she wanted to be seen?
  • Why might she be holding papers in the photograph?
  • What does a studio portrait like this leave out about her life and work?

This photograph is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Sojourner Truth on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Sojourner Truth sources

Meet the AI Sojourner Truth →
Speech

Primary source

Ain't I a Woman?

Sojourner Truth · 1851

Book

Primary source

Narrative of Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth · 1850

Sepia carte de visite photograph of an older Black woman seated at a table, wearing a white bonnet, dark dress, and white fringed shawl, with a flower vase at right. Printed caption below reads 'I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance' and 'SOJOURNER TRUTH'.Photograph

Primary source

I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance

1864

Scan of a marbled endpaper or cover paper with swirling patterns of tan, brown, red and black ink, with dark binding edge on the left side. No text is visible.Book

Secondary source

Fanaticism; Its Source and Influence, Illustrated by the Simple Narrative of Isabella, in the Case of Matthias

Gilbert Vale · 1835

Sepia carte de visite photograph of an older Black woman seated beside a table with a flower vase, wearing a white bonnet, glasses, a white shawl, and a dark dress, holding knitting or sewing. Printed caption below reads: I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance. SOJOURNER TRUTH.Photograph

Primary source

Sojourner Truth, seated with knitting

1864

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Sojourner Truth now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions