Robert Seldon Duncanson (1821 – 1872) was the first African-American artist to achieve international acclaim. "Duncanson is an immensely important figure in American art," said Andrew J. Walker, director of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. "He was a self-taught, black artist from Cincinnati and a leading landscape painter of his time, which was a monumental accomplishment during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods."
The Amon Carter announced the acquisition of Duncanson's The Caves, painted in 1869 and originally owned by Cincinnati Abolitionist Richard Sutton Rust. This monumental work had been in a private collection for nearly 150 years and recently became accessible to the public for the first time at the Amon Carter.
An installation of four watercolors by Adrien Mayers from the museum's permanent collection will complement the new acquisition. Mayers" watercolors depict an early view of Cincinnati, Duncanson's adopted hometown.
Duncanson was self-taught and most notably influenced by Thomas Cole and the Hudson River School. In 1853, Duncanson was asked to illustrate Harriet Beecher Stowe"sUncle Tom's Cabinand then, financed by the Freeman's Aid Society and the Anti-Slave League, departed for a tour of Europe, discovering French landscapist Claude Lorrain and the attraction to Orientalism. Much of his works portray views of the Ohio River Valley and scenes throughout North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Canada, England and Scotland.
Admission to the Amon Carter is always free. Visit cartermuseum.org for more information. -FWTX Staff
