In the early years of oil painting, the field was dominated by white European men. Both women and persons of African decent were given little notice or chance to gain fame for any canvas paintings they created. Despite the challenges, there were some men of African decent who were able to gain fame and adoration for their works of art. While these men may not be well known today, their pioneering work as black oil painters was important to the many that have followed in their footsteps.

Robert Scott Duncanson

Duncanson was born the son of a white Canadian and an African American woman. Because of his parentage, Duncanson was considered a free person of race. Duncanson was born in 1821 in New York but spent the early years of his childhood in Canada with his father. When he was 20, he moved to Ohio to live with his mother and become an artist. Until his time in Ohio, Duncanson had only painted houses, but his determination to be an artist drove him forward despite the fact that he could not get formal painting lessons. Duncanson undertook his own painting education by painting portraits and copying the work of others. This method proved successful and by 1842 three of his paintings were added to an art exhibit in Cincinnati, Ohio. This art exhibit gave his career a need boost and for many years he was well respected as a portrait painter.

Duncanson expanded his painting to include landscapes, which is what he is most remembered for today. 1848 was a fortunate year for Duncanson; he was commissioned by a Methodist preacher to paint and landscape view of Lake Superior known today as, Cliff Mine, Lake Superior. This commission improved his skill as a landscape artist and also created more clientele connections. During the early 1850’s Duncanson traveled with other American artists to gain new inspiration for landscape oil paintings, which resulted in several canvas paintings depicting the Ohio River Valley area.

With the start of the American Civil War, Duncanson fled to Canada in 1863. He continued to create landscape paintings for the next two years. In 1865 he put even greater distance between himself and the Civil War by traveling to England and Scotland. The Europeans were delighted with his skill and praised him as one of the most able and talented landscape artists of his time. After a great many tours, Duncanson returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, around 1867 and continued to paint the many Scotland landscapes that he had seen during his travels.

Between the years of 1867-72, Duncanson continued to create landscape masterpieces that reflected not only the beauty and calmness of the lands but also his growing skill in oil painting. In 1872 Duncanson became ill both physically and mentally and succumbed to death in December of 1872. The beauty and serenity displayed in his work is a testament to his love of the American landscape and landscapes in general. Despite his race, Robert Scott Duncanson was able to become a famed painter, earning him the respect and admiration of his white fellows.

Author Bio: Roberta is an expert in the field. For more information on oil paintings and on canvas paintings Please visit: http://www.mojodirect.com.au

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