Robert Seldon Duncanson (1821-1872) was a renowned African-American 19th-century landscape painter. Once known in America as “the greatest landscape painter in the West”, he found great acclaim through his works in the US in the years around the Civil War. Duncanson’s evocative paintings of lush landscapes were reminiscent of the works of famous artist Thomas Cole and were received with great love and affection.
Born in 1821 in Fayette, New York, Duncanson grew up in Monroe, Michigan, where he worked as a housepainter and glazier. This was the time when he began dreaming of becoming an artist and around 1840 he left for Cincinnati to pursue his dream. Throughout the 1840s, Duncanson traveled between Cincinnati and Detroit and painted portraits and historical pictures. Initially, however, he struggled to make a decent earning and was at times nearly penniless. Thankfully, his works were soon recognized and in 1848 he was commissioned to paint the landscape, "Cliff Mine, Lake Superior". From there on, Duncanson never looked back and found great success as a landscape artist in the years to come.
Unfortunately, after his death in 1872, Duncanson’s works were largely forgotten. However, an exhibition of his paintings at the Cincinnati Art Museum on the centenary of his death helped turn the tide. Since then the painter’s works have featured in several books and exhibitions and are inspiring many young artists. Let’s now take a look at some of the best and most serene artworks of Robert Seldon Duncanson.
See Also: 10 Famous Landscape Artists and Their Masterpieces
David Cox - One of the Greatest English Landscape Painters
Enjoy the artworks of David Cox, one of the greatest English landscape painters.
Scotland Is One of the Most Beautiful Places on Earth
Scotland, as these 16 photos will prove, truly is a place of remarkable beauty.
This Artist’s Sketchbook is Filled With Dreamy Landscapes
Ukraine-based painter Marta Hladchuk uses images of nature to paint some dreamy watercolor landscapes.
10 of the Most Influential Paintings by William Blake
William Blake was one of the most influential poets in history. Did you know that he was also a great painter?
I Would Give Anything to Visit These Incredible Places!
These breathtaking views are a "must see" for any nature lover. Warning! if you're afraid of heights these photos might leave you feeling a little dizzy.
John Sargent’s Artworks Look So Aesthetically Pleasing
Marvel at some of the most beautiful paintings by the famous artist John Singer Sargent.
Think That Cats Can't Be Trained? Think Again!
Thought one can't train cats? Think again! This talented French trainer can get his gorgeous Angora cats to pull off amazing acts that would put most dogs to shame!
David vs. David: Comparing Two Classic Sculptures
Examining two sculptures by two distinct and famous artists: Donatello and Michelangelo
The Beauty of Female Portraits Through the Centuries
This video is truly a testament to that statement that it is a small artistic world after all.
These Rare Artifacts Are Bound to Take Your Breath Away...
Get ready to check out some of the most beautiful ancient artifacts that have ever been discovered!
WATCH: A Superb Xylophone Performance by Christoph Sietzen
This beautiful xylophone performance, which is an interpretation of Emmanuel Séjourné's Attraction, will have you utterly spellbound.
Lord of the Dance Performance With Michael Flatley!
This step dance performance by Michael Flatley and Lord of the Dance is beyond beautiful!
Did You Know These Famous Artworks Have HIDDEN Messages?
The 7 famous paintings and sculptures we showcase in this article have secret messages waiting to be uncovered!
Amazing Performance: The Levitating Woman!
Stevie Pink amazes the crowd of reality show 'Britain's Got Talent' as his assistant simply.. floats, without any indication that she is being held up by anything! An amazing sight to see, and beautifully performed!
See Andre Rieu Make Musical History With 'You Raise Me Up'
Watch in amazement as the legendary musician, André Rieu, performs an outstanding rendition of 'You Raise Me Up' alongside the Johann Strauss Orchestra.
The Artist and The Horse: 10 Stunning Works of Art
Take a look at these stunning paintings of horses by these incredible artists.
The Visionary Art and Turbulent Life of Caravaggio
Caravaggio is one of the most renowned and celebrated painters today, but his life and art have a bigger story to tell than one would expect
How It's Made: Glass Christmas Ornaments
Enjoy a quick history of Christmas glass ornaments and a deep look into how they're made!
30 Hilarious One-Panel Comics the Whole Family Can Enjoy
These clean and lighthearted comics will give you the giggles of a lifetime!
Mary Poppins by André Rieu is Pure Delight!
André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra perform the famous Mary Poppins song, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Watch a video of the performance.
This Young Violinist Will Treat Your Ears to Heaven...
watch as 11 year old Tyler Butler-Figueroa wows the judges of America's Got Talent with his violin music.
This Street Art Is Simply Stunning. Take a Look...
Street art tends to divide opinion, but there's no denying how good the next 30 pieces of art are. They're bound to grab your attention!
What a Fantastically Creative Musical Performance!
The Piano Guys do it again with this mix of classical and modern music that creates an unforgettable performance.
WATCH: Bocelli Stuns Audience With An Amazing Surprise
Legendary tenor, Andrea Bocelli, does a wonderful job accompanying the lost voice of Edith Piaf in a glorious and totally unique performance.
Full Length Concert: The Most Magical Classical Gala!
The most incredible classical gala full concert
How On Earth Were These Famous Faces Recreated?
Crowd art is certainly extraordinary, but these famous faces were not created how you think they were...
These Oil Paintings Beautifully Capture Colonial America
Contemporary American artist Meadow Gist magnificently re-imagines Colonial America in her beautiful oil painting, sweeping you away to a bygone time.
Learn Some Fascinating Facts in the Most Fun Way!
Just Keep Thinking is a project making information about the world accessible and fun through fun colorful illustrations. Scroll to learn something new!
5 Hyper-Realistic Drawings That Just Seem IMPOSSIBLE
Prepare to be amazed by these incredibly lifelike drawings.
Indian Dance Crew Sets America's Got Talent Alight
Looks at the mind-boggling dance performance of a young Indian dance group. They wowed the audience and the judges alike with their act.
Want to Paint? Here's a Complete Guide For Taking it Up!
Ever wanted to take up painting as a hobby, but had no clue where to begin? This complete guide to painting and drawing will answer all your questions.
André Rieu's Gorgeous Rendition of "I Will Follow Him"
Andre Rieu takes this classic song and turns it into a performance with so much passion and talent that it seems almost new again. Extraordinary!
Andre Rieu Plays in Full New York Concert!
In this video we get a FULL concert of Andre Riéuplaying in New York City and celebrating its incredible history.
A Very Creative Take on Travel - Terrific!
A juggler finds a creative way to make a travel video that's both beautiful and fun!
Take it Away, Tiny Dancer!
Amanda Ocampo has captured our hearts and enslaved our eyes with what seems to us as quite simply one of the best child dancers we've ever seen, and she's only 7 years old!
WATCH: Brightman & Bocelli's Musical Masterpiece
Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli possess two of the most famous voices in the entire world, so you can imagine what happens when they join forces. Watch.
When a Voice and Song Are Perfect, it Sounds Like This
Martin Hurkens' emotional rendition of this very beautiful song will definitely make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!
If You're a Married Man, This Song Has Some Advice For You!
Timothy Hawkins, in this hilarious song, sings about what you should not say to your wife if you want a long life. This will make you cry with laughter!
INTERACTIVE: 12 of the Most Beautiful Classical Pieces...
By exploring this interactive image you can experience stunning interpretations of timeless melodies, both classic and contemporary. Just click on these keys and watch the magic unfold!
Frankenstein’s Mother: the Amazing Life of Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley's life was one of great tragedies, but also amazing achievements, being one of the first widely-respected female novelists.
Andre Rieu Stirs Our Emotions With his Tribute to Sinatra!
Join Andre Rieu and his orchestra in their tribute to the unforgettable Frank Sinatra, as they perform "My Way".
These 15 Showstopping Designs Truly Take the Cake...
These cake designs prove that there's more to cake making than just mixing up a few ingredients in a bowl, as these creations are true art!
There’s a Side to Michelangelo’s Artwork You’ve Never Seen
Take a look at the work of artist Michelangelo, beyond the Sistine Chapel and the statue of David, and created by him over 70 years.
The Sublime Beauty of Botticelli's Paintings...
Admire the eternal beauty of the paintings of Sandro Botticelli, an Italian Renaissance artist, who had the gift of painting people gracefully.
What This Man Built for Himself Will Astound You...
This artist decided to create a miniature version of the French capital.
Andrea Bocelli Never Ceases to Amaze! Watch This Show
Andrea Bocelli never ceases to amaze and this performance is no exception.
The Most Creative Street Art From Around the World
A collection of 11 of the most beautiful and creative street art we've come across.