history
Swedish exhibition explores life of 18th-century Black diarist
Born into slavery, Adolf Ludvig Couschi Badin became part of Swedish royal court and left legacy of books and letters
TL;DR
- Adolf Ludvig Gustav Fredrik Albrecht Couschi, known as Badin, arrived at the Swedish royal court around 1760, likely born into slavery between 1747-1750.
- Badin held various titles, including chamberlain and civil servant, and left behind diaries, letters, and an autobiography.
- Despite his literary legacy, Badin has been under-researched and often depicted stereotypically, such as in August Strindberg's play.
- The National Museum's exhibition 'Badin – Beyond Surface and Mask' aims to provide a fuller understanding of his life and role in Swedish society.
- Artist Salad Hilowle's film 'Maroonen (The Marooned)' uses Badin's writings to explore his life and challenge the limited interest in his image over his words.
- Hilowle's work seeks to give Badin recognition and dignity, highlighting his sensitivity and fragility, and his survival as an educated Black man in 18th-century Sweden.
- Badin's status was unique, being free but not royal, with an 'in-between position' at court and a different relationship with the royal family than other servants.