Rooted in history and poetic storytelling, Isaac Julien’s The North Star (Lessons of the Hour) draws inspiration from the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass, one of the most important figures in the abolitionist movement. The photograph is part of Julien’s larger multi-screen film installation, Lessons of the Hour, which reimagines Douglass’s journeys and the power of his oratory in the fight for freedom and equality.

The title, The North Star, references the abolitionist newspaper Douglass founded, as well as the celestial guide used by enslaved people seeking freedom. Julien’s use of striking, cinematic composition and high-gloss surfaces enhances the work’s interplay between history and contemporary aesthetics, inviting viewers to reflect on the enduring resonance of Douglass’s legacy.