A West Indian Flower Girl and Two other Free Women of Color Agostino Brunias (1728-1796)

The composition presents three women in what appears to be a colonial urban setting. The central figure holds a tray laden with flowers, offering one to the woman positioned slightly to her left. This gesture suggests a transaction or exchange, possibly of goods or social favor. The third woman stands adjacent to them, her posture and attire indicating a similar level of social standing.
The womens clothing is noteworthy. They are dressed in elaborate garments – striped skirts, white blouses, and vibrant head coverings – suggesting a degree of prosperity and self-presentation beyond what might be expected from laborers or enslaved individuals. The attention to detail in the rendering of their fabrics and accessories underscores this emphasis on status and refinement.
In the background, architectural details reveal a colonial townscape with buildings displaying red tile roofs and shuttered windows. Two men are visible further back; one is seated and appears relaxed, while the other stands observing the scene. Their presence contributes to the sense of a public space where social interactions unfold. The man seated in the foreground, dressed simply, contrasts sharply with the women’s attire, highlighting distinctions based on class or status.
The paintings subtexts revolve around issues of race, class, and identity within a colonial context. The depiction of free women of color – individuals who were not enslaved but often faced social marginalization – challenges conventional representations of Caribbean society during this period. Their dignified bearing and fashionable dress suggest an assertion of agency and self-worth in the face of systemic inequalities.
The flower girls offering, seemingly a simple act, can be interpreted as symbolic of economic independence or perhaps even a subtle form of resistance against imposed hierarchies. The overall effect is one of complex social dynamics – a visual narrative that hints at the nuances of identity and belonging within a colonial world.