Description

Landscape with Shepherd by Robert S. Duncanson printed on a Hoodie

Born free in upstate New York, the Black American painter Duncanson established an international reputation for his Hudson River School inspired landscapes during the Civil War era. Self-taught, he began his career in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he came to the attention of abolitionist leaders, who later sponsored his study in Europe. By 1861, Duncanson was hailed in the American press as “the best landscape painter in the West.” At the height of his career, he successfully toured his paintings in England and Scotland, where he lived for a period of time. Self-exiled in Montreal during the Civil War, Duncanson also helped launch a Canadian landscape movement.

About the Hoodie

Classic unisex hoodie with a front pouch pocket and matching flat drawstrings. The 100% cotton exterior makes this hoodie soft to the touch.

• 65% ring-spun cotton, 35% polyester 
• Charcoal Heather is 60% ring-spun cotton, 40% polyester
• Carbon Grey is 55% ring-spun cotton, 45% polyester
• 100% cotton face
• Fabric weight: 8.5 oz./yd.² (288.2 g/m²)
• Front pouch pocket
• Self-fabric patch on the back
• Matching flat drawstrings
• 3-panel hood
• Tear-away tag

Robert S. Duncanson (1821-1872)

Robert Seldon Duncanson was a nineteenth century American artist of European and African ancestry known for his contributions to landscape painting. Inspired by famous American landscape artists like Thomas Cole, Duncanson created renowned landscape paintings and is considered a second generation Hudson River School artist. Duncanson spent the majority of his career in Cincinnati, Ohio and helped develop the Ohio River Valley landscape tradition. As a free black man in antebellum America, Duncanson utilized the white abolitionist community in America and England to support and promote his work.

Duncanson is considered the first African-American artist to be internationally known. He operated in the elite cultural circles of Cincinnati, Detroit, Montreal, and London. The primary art historical debate centered on Duncanson concerns the role that contemporary racial issues played in his work. Some art historians, like Joseph D. Ketner, believe that Duncanson used racial metaphors in his artwork, while others, like Margaret Rose Vendryes, discourage viewers from approaching his art with a racialized perspective.