Slavery. Slavery in art has been portrayed in diverse ways, ranging from idealized or romanticized depictions to powerful critiques and calls for abolition. These representations reflect the evolving attitudes and perspectives on slavery throughout history and the role of art in both perpetuating and challenging social norms. Slavery was often depicted in the context of biblical or mythological narratives, such as the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt or the story of Andromeda. These scenes allowed artists to explore the theme of slavery without directly addressing contemporary issues. Ancient Greek and Roman art often featured slaves as background figures or in subservient roles, reflecting the acceptance of slavery as an integral part of society. In Western art, these classical subjects were often revisited, reinforcing existing social hierarchies. In some cases, slavery was portrayed in an idealized or romanticized manner, with enslaved people shown as content, loyal, or even grateful for their situation. These depictions often served to justify and perpetuate the institution of slavery. As the abolitionist movement gained momentum in the 18th and 19th centuries, artists began creating works that highlighted the cruelty and injustice of slavery. These pieces often depicted the harsh conditions endured by enslaved people, their struggle for freedom, and the moral imperative to end the slave trade. Some works of art have focused on the resistance and rebellion of enslaved people, celebrating their courage and determination to fight for their freedom. Examples include depictions of historical figures like Toussaint Louverture and Nat Turner, as well as scenes of slave uprisings and revolts. Artists have also created portraits of enslaved people, often emphasizing their dignity and humanity. These works serve as a reminder of the individual lives and experiences that were affected by the institution of slavery. Slavery and enslavement are both the state and the condition of being a slave, who is someone forbidden to quit serving an enslaver, and is treated by the enslaver as property. Slavery typically involves slaves being made to perform some form of work while also having their location or residence dictated by the enslaver. Many historical cases of enslavement occurred as a result of breaking the law, becoming indebted, or suffering a military defeat; other forms of slavery were instituted along demographic lines such as race. Slaves may be kept in bondage for life or for a fixed period of time, after which they would be granted freedom. Although slavery is usually involuntary and involves coercion, there are also cases where people voluntarily enter into slavery to pay a debt or earn money due to poverty. In the course of human history, slavery was a typical feature of civilization, and was legal in most societies, but it is now outlawed in most countries of the world, except as a punishment for a crime. In chattel slavery, the slave is legally rendered the personal property of the slave owner. In economics, the term de facto slavery describes the conditions of unfree labour and forced labour that most slaves endure. In 2019, approximately 40 million people, of whom 26 percent were children, were enslaved throughout the world despite it being illegal. In the modern world, more than 50 percent of slaves provide forced labour, usually in the factories and sweatshops of the private sector of a country's economy. In industrialised countries, human trafficking is a modern variety of slavery; in non-industrialised countries, enslavement by debt bondage is a common form of enslaving a person, such as captive domestic servants, forced marriage, and child soldiers. Slavery and enslavement are both the state and the condition of being a slave, who is someone forbidden to quit serving an enslaver, and is treated by the enslaver as property. Slavery typically involves slaves being made to perform some form of work while also having their location or residence dictated by the enslaver. Many historical cases of enslavement occurred as a result of breaking the law, becoming indebted, or suffering a military defeat; other forms of slavery were instituted along demographic lines such as race.