The artwork, entitled “Trial of the Amistad Captives,” was created by Hale Woodruff in 1939. It belongs to the art movement of Muralism and falls within the genres of mural and history painting. This piece is part of the Amistad Murals series produced between 1938-1939.
The mural vividly captures a historical courtroom scene involving the Amistad captives. The artist employs a bold color palette and dynamic composition to depict a tense moment of the trial. Central to the artwork are the figures of the captives and various individuals engaged in animated discussion, with a judge presiding over the proceedings. The detailed expressions and postures of the figures convey the gravity and intensity of the event. Rich in narrative and detail, the mural reflects Woodruff’s commitment to illustrating significant historical events through his work.