When people of color are erased from popular depictions of historical eras, some folks can come up with an It of excuses for why their images are absent.
But here’s an awesome collection of Victorian-era photographs that blow those excuses away. The photographs date from 1860 to 1901, and they show some of the gorgeous and diverse ways that people of color have existed throughout history.
African-American lady with parasol and fan

African-American lady with parasol and fan

African-American woman from Tallahassee, Florida, 1884

African-American women posing with a fan, ca. late 19th century

Beautiful lady posing on the arm of chair, ca. 1890s

ca. 1890s

Lady in white dress

Portrait of a beautiful woman, 1899

Portrait of a woman of the upper class

Young Victorian girl, ca. 1890
