Saartjie Baartman — Black Venus Character Profile

About Saartjie Baartman

A Khoikhoi woman from South Africa exploited as the 'Hottentot Venus' in London and Paris freak shows. After baptism, she faces worsening humiliation and sexual degradation, descends into prostitution to survive, and dies in 1815, after which her corpse is sold to Cuvier.

Saartjie Baartman — Character Profile

Character Facts

Played by

Yahima Torres

Appears in

Black Venus (2010)

Role

Protagonist

Relationships (2)

• Saartjie Baartman — Professional Scientific Subject — Georges Cuvier (François Marthouret)

  Cuvier views Sarah primarily as an anatomical specimen for comparative study.

• Saartjie Baartman — Power Owner — Réaux (Olivier Gourmet)

  Réaux holds legal and physical control over Sarah after purchasing her in London.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Black Venus

More characters from Black Venus

• Hendrick Caezar (André Jacobs)
• Réaux (Olivier Gourmet)
• Jeanne (Elina Löwensohn)
• Senior Naturalist Assistant (Cyril Favre)
• Georges Cuvier (François Marthouret)
• Jean Baptiste-Berré (Michel Gionti)
• Matthew, second servant (Alix Serman)
• The sixth prostitute of the brothel (Claire-Lise Pinet)
• The fourth prostitute in the brothel (Laetitia Vitteau)
• The second prostitute in the tavern (Karen Smit)
• The third prostitute of the brothel (Myriam Vanhove)
• The fifth prostitute of the brothel (Calypso Baquey)