Wow. A beautiful painting. But he went back to the slave trade after suffering from it. He decided that benefiting from it was more important than being a human fighting against it. The portrait becomes a personification of the inhumanity of the times in which he lived.

Sorry but as an African, I am stunned. You can't be a slave trader, then be traded and live the life of a slave yourself then return to be a trader, knowing the suffering you will inflict. He manipulated himself out of slavery to coldbloodedly return to his "business". Let's not sugarcoat his behaviour! We can't bring down Colston statue in Bristol UK then say that we will judge Diallo differently because "he is black" and the portrait is "beautiful"! Black people must stay rational. I think he is worse than the likes of Colston. Because he traded his own brothers and sisters!

Him going back to practicing slavery after experiencing it first hand says less about the time and more about the man. If you can have your freedom taken away from you, then be so lucky as to get it back, that should have been a moment of enlightening. You're then supposed to fight against those injustices with a renewed mindset.There were many people who were never enslaved, yet fought against slavery because they had empathy for their fellow human beings. How could he not feel compassion?

This picture is more powerful than monalisa

This deserves more views thank you ❤️

5:50 and suddenly you see something else in this face: the cold, the unconcerned.

Unfortunately when Diallo went back and sold slaves after once being a slave he lost credibility and his stories means nothing to me. I am also a Muslim 😢😢

I see the ending of Mr. Diallo's story as less a reflection on the times and more of a reflection on him as a person. Anyone from any race can do despicable things to their fellow man. I don't know what prompted him to go back so maybe there was more to the story. Either way, his tale is one I don't think I'll soon forget.

I remember learning about this guy; I could not believe that he went back to enslaving his fellow brothers and sisters after being enslaved himself.

To everyone saying his return to slave trading says more about the man than his time: it can say something about both, or can say very little about either. Is it a failure of his character that he didn’t quit owning slaves? Maybe. But, to him, slavery was part of the natural order which divided people. Throughout his ordeal, he could have still held that, as an aristocrat, he was above the slaves, and this would have given him solace and hope for escape. As well as psychologically holding himself apart from his conditions, this belief would have also held him apart from his fellow slaves and prevented him from humanising them. Many cultures are replete with stories of the noble-born hero who falls into a situation which is beneath him and which he must overcome to restore his birthright. For Diallo, this episode was likely a romantic story to tell the grandkids about that time he heroically escaped a terrible injustice only to restore himself to his rightful place. It is fascinating that, to contemporary eyes, his portrait serves to humanise not only him, but also those he enslaved.

I really hate this whole idea of Africans "proving" their humanity. I don't have to look into the eyes of his portrait to know he's human. 250,000 years of human history told me that. To be human is to be AFRICAN. Africans are the origin of humanity. This narrator is really insecure. It's sad.

Going back the slavery business it’s tells me he wasn’t compassionate and he didn’t regret what he’s family did to so many families. I hope he and all those who practice made business got from Almighty what they deserve.

His face stares stating you don't really know who I am

We almost condemn the slavery as a Senegalese but we mustn’t forget our history . Ayuba Souleiman Diallo did not himself write the story of his life, which is known thanks in particular to the book by Thomas Bluett published in 1734 .Born in 1701 in Boundou, in the northeast of present-day Senegal, Ayuba comes from a family of Muslim scholars. During his childhood, he studied the Arabic language and the Koran in the company of the future king of Fouta-Toro and legendary Samba Gueladio Diegui. At 29, he was captured by Mandingos on the banks of the Gambia (river) when he himself had sold two captives against cattle. It is sold to Captain Pike, working for the account of English slave traders. The latter, authorizes him to send a message to his father to redeem him against two slaves, but when the messengers return from Bondou, it is too late, the ship had already left for the New World. Ayuba is therefore brought to Annapolis in the state of Maryland and put to work in a tobacco plantation. After only a few weeks of work, he escapes. Picked up and held in an inn in Kent County (Maryland), he met an Anglican lawyer and pastor, Thomas Bluett, then on a business trip, who became his first biographer. After many adventures, the Royal African Company sent him back free to his country in July 1734. The director of the company hoped that Ayuba would help him establish a trade in gum arabic. Indeed, the country of Ayuba is close to a forest of gum trees, and this product is prized by Europeans, especially for the textile industry. Meanwhile, Ayuba passed through England where he met eminent personalities such as the doctor, naturalist and collector Hans Sloane, the Duke of Montaigu and even King George II. A year later, after engaging in translation activities, he returned home to Boundou in Senegal. His father is dead and one of his wives, who thought he was dead, remarried. But judging that he “returns from the land of the dead” ,he does not criticize him for it, any more than he does for her husband.

Art is very telling. This story sounds like a 'drug dealer' who knows the drug is bad for ALL PEOPLE , yet he is 'captured by the game'. So he goes back to selling drugs because everyone is still buying. Aloha from Hawaii. Leah Tunkara

Ayuba Suleiman Diallo (1701-1773), also known as Job Ben Solomon , was a prominent Muslim and slave who was a victim of the Atlantic slave trade . Born in Bundu , Senegal ( West Africa ), Ayuba's memoirs were published as one of the earliest slave narratives , that is, a first-person account of the slave trade, in Thomas Bluett 's Some Memories of the Life of Job, the Son of the Solomon High Priest of Boonda in Africa; Who was enslaved about two Years in Maryland; and afterwards being brought to England, was set free, and sent to his native Land in the Year 1734 . However, this version is not a first-person account. A first hand account of Ayuba's capture by Mandinkas and eventual return home can be found in Francis Moore's Travels into the Interior Parts of Africa .

Wonderful documentary, the portrait is very powerful and moving. Never knew anything about him untill now. Art is such an expressive tool to learn so much about history

Sooooo he was selling people and I'm supposed to feel sorry he ended up a slave. Sounds to me like karma.

Thank you. A complex, uncomfortable story behind this beautiful portrait.

I would like to know more about how did Diallo befriend his slave master and then they travel to Great Britain together?

Thank you so much for encapsulating this part of rich and complex history. God bless

was a slave, got his freedom back then desides to subject more people to it... perfect logic. 😠 (sarcastic tone in voice)

He was a slave trader there is no glory or honour in selling out your own race🤔🤔

An amazing story, thanks for telling it to us Heni. Diallo’s tale is a side to the slave trade that I could have never had imagined. Its wild that he returned to that tragic business in the end. He sure would have been an interesting guy to have had a chat with to understand his logic. He’d be part of the 6 famous people dead or alive that I’d invite to my dinner party. I felt his face exuded kindness. Im was sure wrong there, the slaves he sold would have certainly said different.

A truly breathtaking portrait. I've seen it many times and heard a different history of the subject. Now I am older I can see myself why he went back into the slave trade after experiencing life as a slave. He was a Muslim, most slaves were not Muslims and that is why they were enslaved and why he could return to the trade of human misery and profit from their blood. This was a massive and complex crime against humanity with the criminals knowing fully what they were doing. I guess then, as now, money talks louder than decency.

Thank you so much I throughly enjoyed this piece of history and the irony of this story wow it deep that he went back. Yes it should remain on permanent display

I am a portrait artist And this is possibly the best I have ever seen! Quiet, intense, dignified, storied. I have been to the Louvre , the Met and many others but this is really special, it deserves its own space in the gallery not under some rich patron’s portrait!

Great he help fight for the abolition of slavery. Disappointing he went back to sell his fellow man his human brothers. He could have helped fight slavery in his home, imagine the lives he could have saved the wonderful hero he could have been for his countrymen. Brave moral men that stay true to their values, they are out there, unfortunately he did not live this belief, a dignity he did afford his countrymen.

So brother was a hypocrite and part of the problem not solution

Another African whose portrait flashes by in video is Equiano who fought against slavery in Europe, the Caribbean and returned to Africa to continue fighting against slavery. So no, the narrator is wrong, it says nothing about the times and everything about this individual. There have always been human beings in EVERY age who have opposed slavery and recognized it as inherently evil, and then there are those who go along to get along and don’t give a f>

I am unable to admire this man. He truly betrayed his people. I can’t see any dignity.

💛💛 At the beginning of this video I though "What a simple but dignified portrait !!!!!" And the end of this video said it. I was like "OMG I'm right 😮!!" 💛💛

I share the same last name as this man. The name Diallo is very common in west Africa. This man and all men of his time that were engaged in this trade had really corrupted morales. In my book, he is un redeemable. Maybe Allah/God in his mercy will. But let’s not sugar coat it. This is the true evil and is shameful. Never that again. I agree that we should probably preserve these portraits, but certainly not in a context where we would be honoring this man. He had no honor.

Beautiful painting. Very interesting story.

This explains a lot. Thank you. 🙏🏿

From Senegal ✋😍

His story say some about a class system and the mentality that goes with it. I wonder what happen if we tried a universal education system were rich and poor are educated together?

Great description of this incredible painting. Thank you

What’s so great about this slave trader? What did he accomplish? What did he do to create positive change for slaves. Did I miss something? I may need to do some research on this. After experiencing and witnessing the atrocity of slavery, when the opportunity presents itself he goes right back to doing it. Sounds like just another self serving individual who cares little next to nothing about his fellow man. What I see when I look into his eyes is an empty soul...

The worst atrocities ever committed against humanity, worse than the atomic bombs in Japan and the Holocaust. Personal Opinion.

This is amazing 😁 people should watch this and learn from this 🏆

Him being sold into slavery for two years and the released just to then again sell slaves, shows how much it was simply a normal part of the culture, different times….

It's a little unfair to compare him with any other slaves. He was born being told he had dignity, value, rights.

Beautiful art and story behind this artwork

It's kind of mesmerizing

The man was admirable and yet the time was so different. Slavery had been established for 100's of years. Abolition was radical and an early step towards human rights. Diallo's World was different. We talk about a new normal today, what was normal then was very different and requires consideration when judging actions at that time.

The picture say's a lot about the artist as well! Would have been great to have been present at the sitting for this portrait.

One thing is true in this world you get what you put out.

Why does it feel like I've encountered those eyes, that nose. Regal, majestic. I feel mesmerized. And who is the painter?!

We think that slavery is in the past but please research modern slavery. It is estimated 40 million people are in slavery right now. We are all complicit in it if we buy fast fashion, cheap plastic things, electronics, or even food. Not knowing where things come from and how they are made, we all support modern slavery in some way.

Nice document for generations

What an unusual documentary to describe a hero Somalian whose family were slavers.

Cowards do cowardly things! I rather live like a man then die like a coward. His own survival was more important than his own ppl.

Diallo needed to be emancipated from himself,to abolish slavery in himself but in a way he considered himself a slave owner,a person who can have conversations with westerners and sit at the same table in which they ate from and sat on.

Truly amazing

So he went back home and did the same thing even though he had such an experience??

This is a beautiful piece of art. He looks like somebody's little cousin ✌🏾

He was an islamic scholar😢

In Islam a slave has rights and you cannot do particular things or you'll get punished by the ruling class . Dude acted like Islam and Christianity had the same basis of slave trading --they didn't. Islam doesn't allow racial slavery or racism. How is that the same?

This is the most generous description of a f'ing rat of a slaver you'll ever hear

This man is the same as all the politicians u have in africa.

His life truly is so fascinating! Thank you for presenting his life! Made my day:)❤️❤️💜Beautiful Light of wisdom on his face. Sura Balad, 90:1-13, “I do call to witness this City;-and thou art a FREEMAN of this city…verily We have created man into toil and struggle…..Have We not made for him a pair of eyes-and a tongue and a pair of lips?--and shown man the two highways?//But man hath made no haste on the path that is steep,//And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?-It is FREEING the bondsman /slave; or the giving of food in a day of privation//to the orphan with claims of a relationship, or to the indigent down in the dust.//Then, will he be of those who believe and enjoin patience, constancy, and self-restraint, and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion.//Such are the Companions of the Right Hand.” (Alhumdullilah-All praise to Allah who created us all as individuals, without original sin, that He already forgave).

Much Gratitude

Beautifulll men. Never ever you hear something like this at school. They should make a Hollywood about this instead to raise awaerenes.

Slavery & oppression are not the same. When slavery is instituted oppressively, it is the most dehumanizing enforcement of government.

Suprising ending He should be forgotten.

The story Job Ben Solomon alias Suleiman Diallo is a perfect story of Karma and it's ways. Suleiman's family business is slave-raiding. Sulaiman was a Fulani and during the slavetrade, Fulainis were classified as whites. What a lot of blacks do not GET is that to the Europeans, there are those termed white Africans and black Africans. Till this day, they are used to cause great strife and chaos in Africa. The Natives of large parts of Africa knows that certain immigrants of unknown origin among them are not same as them, ignoring clear evidence in features and hair, yet are amazed when these strangers rise up and start killing them off. If in doubt, check out the activities of Fulanis in West, Central and Eastern African countries to this day. It is FAR from the story of love or genetic connection.

Mansha'Allah, he was my Brother in Islam and in Suilman. It's, clear he was a man with knowledge. Ayub ibnu Sulaiman.

I took notice of that portrait in the National Gallery as well. Of course many works were absolutely stunning with evident skill, but that one was unique. I agree it should stay.

It, SO great

A real BRUTE, I say.

Spare me this feel good chat please. Ayuba was either too simple or too smart to worry about things such as respect me These are 21st Centuries insecurities. You want to be respected, than conduct yourself in a manner that brings respect to you.

How can he do it after seeing what slaves go through of suffering. On the other hands slavery is forbidden in Islam..

When I saw his picture, I thought, "The most beautiful person in the world." His eyes, his expression, his radiant skin, resplendent of the Divine Beauty, the sacred reality of The Black Light. In Islamic spirituality, the Black Light represents the annihilation of the ego and entrance into the Divine Presence. It is the highest spiritual station.

Humanity has such a long way to go .Today modern slavery comes down to minimum wage, that's besides people that abuse their domestic workers which is common practice. How do we solve this problem? We care on a global level but how many of us take advantage of others .

Wow. Didn't sew that coming.

You do not have to say that because he is black.Countless blacks(and this is no disrespect),have proven who they are by being great rulers,great generals,great artists,musicians,etc.,and great human beings.I wrote this before watching the video,so I will watch it

How different is economics based on slavery from economics based on population growth?

he look like the the actor anthony mackie....

Fabulous painting of a disgusting stain in our history that still will not wash off

What I see is the arrogance of somebody who is saying that he is superior to the other people he is trafficking. He thought it was wrong to enslave him, but fine to enslave others.

He betrayed innocent folks.

this is what true islam makes out of a man.

Diallo is a Fulani name and He really looks like a Fulani

Ayoube Souleymane Diallo from Sénégal ville d'origine bondou

Why he look like the old Micheal Jackson

Meanwhile, everyone here, esp the narrator, is missing the real point: we were largely educated Muslims before the Translatlantic trade, not wild creatures found in the bushes, like they teach in their HIStory books. We have been lied to so much in an effort to make us believe that we should appreciate our oppressors for “rescuing” and “civilizing” us when we taught them to be civilized and to bathe (something only the wealthiest Europeans did, and even then, it wasn’t a daily affair). We (“slave” descendants, mostly in the US and Western Europe-not the newer immigrants from the West Indies and Western Africa) are the same Tuareg Berbers (aka Moors) who built Southern Europe, as well as Northern Africa, and established a cultural empire in parts where none or the mere ruins of one existed during the “Dark Ages” (aka Europe under control of “dark” people). The flags of several European nations still bear the image of a Moor, a black man with curly hair, not to be confused with a modern Arab since they lie and tell us that the Moors were straight-haired Arabs, who are largely Caucasoid. Blackamoor art, depicted the regal stature of the black Moors who ruled. They were not slaves, as they lie and tell us; Blackamoors are almost always pictured as being adorned in gold because they were incredibly wealthy, which is how they were able to take over and build up Europe so easily. The “Enlightenment” (or the “Enwhitenment”) was the white European solution to driving out the Moors and most of the mulattoes (later repackaged and counted as Arabs) by rising up as a sovereign continent under the new banner of whiteness and white supremacy, which bonded previously warring factions and fortified them against further invasion from both Africans and Mongols, who had seized and controlled the majority of Europe, which lies in Russia.

This is William Shakespeare btw

Amazing.

why do we keep repeating this bd

It Is The Freeing Of A Slave 90:13

The fact that he went back to slave trading makes his story absolutely pointless and not worthy of remembering.

Beautiful man

You know why he went back to selling slaves is because he was selling Israelites not his own people. But the Europeans couldn't tell the difference so they just saw a black man. But look at the story of Moses he was a Israelite from the tribe of Levi, but was raised by Egyptians and everyone thought he was one just because Israelites and Egyptians are dark skinned people. The people of Sudan are the ancient Egyptians and this is the same story as history repeats itself.

Diallo is now a typical Fulani name in or around Fouta Djallon

It almost looks real.

Nice story

He looks extremely Senegalese. Beautiful portrait!

I find some silly comments due to bad reading of history . People cant concieve that slavery was a fully normal way of live ..

It is sad history