---
title: Tragic Prelude
author: John Steuart Curry
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20577/tragic-prelude/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2025-06-11
---

# Tragic Prelude

_Authored by John Steuart Curry_

## Image File

[![Tragic Prelude](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20577.jpeg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20577.jpeg)

## Image Caption

*Tragic Prelude,* depicting abolitionist [John Brown](https://www.worldhistory.org/John_Brown/) at the center of the "[Bleeding Kansas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bleeding_Kansas/)" controversy, 1854-1859, a "tragic prelude" to the [American Civil War](https://www.worldhistory.org/American_Civil_War/), mural by John Steuart Curry, 1938.

Kansas State Capitol.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Curry, J. S. (2025, June 11). Tragic Prelude. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20577/tragic-prelude/>
### Chicago
Curry, John Steuart. "Tragic Prelude." *World History Encyclopedia*, June 11, 2025. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20577/tragic-prelude/>.
### MLA
Curry, John Steuart. "Tragic Prelude." *World History Encyclopedia*, 11 Jun 2025, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20577/tragic-prelude/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Tragic_Prelude_John_Brown.jpg) by [**John Steuart Curry**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Tragic_Prelude_John_Brown.jpg). Submitted by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/ "User Page: Joshua J. Mark"), published on 11 June 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.