The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Erving and Joyce Wolf, 1982 [1982.443.3]. Photograph © 1982 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Theodor Kaufmann (1814-1896). On to Liberty, 1867. Oil on canvas, 36 x 56 inches.

Throughout the history of North American slavery, men, women, and children fled the brutality and oppression they were subjected to. They embarked on long and risky journeys to regain their right to freedom.