Long invisibilised by Western art history, the figure of the slave - and more specifically that of black people - is rarely represented in European painting before the end of the 18th century. Confined to subordinate or exotic roles, they appear in compositions that reflect the power relationships and dominant visions of the time. From the 19th century onwards, some artists took a more explicit stand against slavery. But the story does not end there. These representations remain marked by tensions: between the colonial gaze, persistent stereotypes and attempts at rehabilitation. Today, many contemporary artists are revisiting these narratives to deconstruct the imposed images and reintegrate black people into a visual history of resistance, subjectivity and living memory.