“The Maroons in Ambush . . . in Jamaica” (1801)

“The Maroons in Ambush . . . in Jamaica” (1801)

AP African American Studies Guide

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Topic 2.15

J. Bourgoin and J. Merigot, The Maroons in Ambush on the Dromilly Estate in the Parish of Trelawny (1801)

An engraving showing two dozen armed Black men in the foreground hidden along a forested path and hillside watching a group of White men in military dress coming down the path in the distance


Source: This postcard features The Maroons in Ambush on the Dromilly Estate in the parish of Trelawny by J. Bourgoin and J. Merigot, 1801 (Courtesy of the National Library of Jamaica)

Discussion Questions

  1. Citing specific things you see in the artwork, what ideas about resistance and agency does the piece reflect? Think specifically about tactics and use of the environment.
  2. Consider the artists’ perspective in this piece. How did they portray the Maroons? How did they portray the British?
  3. The Second Maroon War ended in 1796, five years before this piece of art was created. Looking specifically at the artwork and using your knowledge of the Second Maroon War, what do you think was the artists’ purpose in creating this piece?