The Mediterranean research programme workshop welcomes Gillian Weiss, Professor of History at Case Western Reserve University. She will be presenting the exhibit “Slaves in the Mediterranean, 17th-18th centuries“, which will be on show at the Institut du Monde Arabe from March 31st to July 19th, 2026.
Slaves in the Mediterranean. 17th-18th centuries
Gillian Weiss, a specialist in Mediterranean slavery, will be presenting the exhibit “Slaves in the Mediterranean. 17th-18th centuries”, of which she is co-curator. This presentation will be followed by a discussion with the public.
About the exhibit
The first exhibition to explore the little-known history of slavery in the Mediterranean, “Slaves in the Mediterranean. 17th-18th centuries” presents a wide range of exceptional and rarely exhibited works of art, many of which are also featured in this mapping project.
The exhibition focuses in particular on the often forgotten presence and testimonies of North Africans and certain West Africans enslaved in Europe. Focusing on the ports of France, Italy and the island of Malta from the 17th century to the 1830s, it sheds light on the experiences and representations of these human beings forced to work as galley slaves, servants, translators, musicians and artists’ assistants.
It reveals the profound impact of this history on material cultures in Europe by presenting a wide range of astonishing and rarely exhibited works of art: a life drawing of a Muslim slave by Louis XIV’s chief painter, Charles Lebrun; works of art depicting or inspired by Pietro Tacca’s iconic monument known as the “Quattro Mori”; paintings depicting the suppression of a slave revolt in Malta in 1749; an album of exceptional drawings by Fabroni depicting galley slaves at work and at rest; and other remarkable objects such as maritime weapons, ship sculptures, talismans and letters written by Muslim and Christian captives, which will be read aloud.
Finally, a previously unseen contemporary work of art, Suspended inTime, by artist Kevork Mourad, will open up perspectives on what has become of this long history: from its oblivion after the capture of Algiers by French troops in 1830 to contemporary debates on the works of art that have depicted slavery, including the “Quattro Mori”.
Practical information
- Date: Tuesday, April 7th from 4pm to 5:30pm
- Location: Maison des Astronomes conference room, Iméra, 2 place Leverrier 13004 Marseille
- Language: this presentation will be given in English. Discussions may continue in English and French.
Coming to Iméra
- Pedestrian access: come through the gate of the 2 place Leverrier, 13004 Marseille.
- PRM access: come through the gate of the Allée Jean-Louis Pons, 13004 Marseille.
