II. The Measure of Freedom and Slavery

This is the second of four lectures in America’s Architecture of Freedom and Unfreedom, the 74th A. W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts presented by Mabel O. Wilson of Columbia University. This talk follows Andrew Ellicott, a mathematician and surveyor, and his team including free Black surveyor Benjamin Banneker, on their 1791 survey of the boundaries for the new Federal Territory between Virginia and Maryland. If the new territory and its yet to be planned capital, Washington City, functioned as an architectural symbol of unity between the 13 states and their commitment to uphold and protect the tenets of liberty through self-governance, then how did Banneker’s presence on the surveying team represent divergent beliefs around the natural rights of humans, especially the right to freedom? Inaugurated in 1949, the Mellon Lectures is the longest-running lecture series at the National Gallery of Art. The series was founded “to bring to the people of the United States the results of the best contemporary thought and scholarship bearing upon the subject of the Fine Arts.” Learn more: https://www.nga.gov/research/center/p... Still haven’t subscribed to our YouTube channels? National Gallery of Art ►►   / nationalgalleryofartus   National Gallery of Art Talks ►►   / nationalgalleryofarttalks   ABOUT THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART The National Gallery of Art serves the nation by welcoming all people to explore and experience art, creativity, and our shared humanity. More National Gallery of Art Content: Facebook:   / nationalgalleryofart   Twitter:   / ngadc   Instagram:   / ngadc   Pinterest:   / _created   E-News: https://mailchi.mp/nga.gov/signup