Robert Duncanson, "Ellen's Isle, Loch Katrine"


    This week we visit a panoramic vista of the Ohio River valley.  It is an oil painting created by artist Robert Duncanson (1821-1872) between 1870 and 1871.   Duncanson was a self taught painter.  He has an interesting history, being a Black American living in Ohio most of his adult life.  For a great deal of time, to earn a living, he was quite successful traveling around Ohio and Michigan area as an itinerant portrait painter.  In 1848 he became interested in landscapes so to develop some skill he copied the work of Thomas Cole, plus drew sketches in the outdoors to later develop in his studio.            Ellen's Isle is in the tradition of Cole, and the Hudson River School.  I find it a serene, beautiful composition.  The low sun close to the horizon is reflected back into the water, almost to the point where the boat is about to reach; clearly the center of interest.  But the sweeping river and hills carry our eye across the format to view this wonderful setting.  Notice how the sunlight lights the trunks of the trees on our right, pulling out attention back into the scene.  
   I keep wondering about the boat and the people in it.  It looks like a long, narrow canoe; and that is a lot of folks!  In my mind, it is a good thing it is a calm summer morning or early evening.  We cannot clearly gain any more information about who they are or where they are going.  They are simply a human presence in a tranquil scene.
    Interestingly Duncanson died when he was only 51.  He developed dementia and some reports speculate he may have suffered from lead poisoning.  This makes sense because most paints at this time did contain lead. 
     Ellen's Isle, Loch Katrine is an oil on canvas.  It is part of the permanent collection of the Detroit Institute of Art in Detroit, Michigan.  It measures 28 1/2" x 49" and was completed early in 1871.
   Make Art a part of your life, it's a beautiful thing to do.

   
Location: Tasmania, Australia

Comments

  1. Char HarguthDecember 8, 2020 at 5:37 PM

    This painting certainly has the majestic romantic look of the Hudson River School. Everything is glowing with the yellow/orange touch of the sunset. Is that another boat in the distance, or just a tiny island? The shore in the foreground looks like an ideal spot from which to "skip rocks"! So serene, the boat hardly leaves ripples. It's a calm setting and a testament to the earth's natural beauty and wonder. He really had professional self-taught skills. Just lovely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Art Expert On LineDecember 12, 2020 at 8:25 AM

      I was undecided, too, about the object in the distance. I couldn't tell if it was another boat, or an island, so I didn't mention it. Maybe if we ever see the original we could tell. I am glad you agreed it is a beautiful setting. Always, thanks for your great input, I always look forward to reading it!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wayne Thiebaud, Sunset Streets

Image
   In giving title to this landscape, California artist, Wayne Thiebaud not only provides the location, but also the time of day.  Knowing that Thiebaud is a California artist provides the last clue to guessing the probably location.  Smartly, The San Francisco Museum Of Modern Art purchased this painting for its permanent collection in 1986, a year after it was completed.  Sunset Streets is an oil on canvas measuring 48" x 35".      Wayne Thiebaud was born in 1920 and resides in California. He is one of several artists creating a distinct California aesthetic using heavy pigment and exaggerated color.   He is best known for his commonplace objects, figures, and landscapes. of which this is a perfect example.    The composition of this work is amazing.  Right down the center, at a slight tilt is this blue-black stripe, K shape, beginning with a heavy base and capped with a large triangle of sorts.  The painting is...
Read more

Jimmy Baker, "Double Tillman"

Image
   It has been a while since we have looked at a contemporary artist and new work, and this particular image by Jimmy Baker is somewhat different from others of his.   At first glance our painting for this week appears to be a landscape, maybe a setting or rising sun.  Our attention is drawn to the circle just slightly above middle center, and the arches above and swirls of color high light it.  Look at the lower half, the earth.  The light has highlighted rocks or wood chips, but we are unable to distinguish more.   I think this painting allows us to determine for ourselves what to make of it.   Is this a dying earth, or one recovering from tragedy?         Jimmy Baker (1980-) is from Ohio.  He was born here, received his education in Ohio, and is presently and associate professor at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.  His work has achieved critical acclaim with solo exhibitions in Europe and across t...
Read more

Childe Hassam "The Avenue in Rain"

Image
    I probably should have saved this for the 4th of July, but that is a little far off and this work is among Childe Hassam's finest.      I have known of Childe Hassam (1859 - 1935) for a very long time, but only recently did Wikimedia straighten me out about the correct way to pronounce his first name.  It seems the "e" is silent; and his last name is pronounced as written, with two syllables.        From what I have read, Hassam was a pretty sharp guy, and possibly a little  arrogant.  He created 3,000 some works of art in his career and lived his entire adult life on the proceeds of their sale.  This is quite remarkable.  Most artists, (at least before 1930) had to supplement their income by teaching, commissioned portraits or careers outside the art field.  But Hassam figured out not only how to market his work, but also what subjects would be popular.  Timing is always a big issue, and he wa...
Read more