Landscape with Rainbow

Robert Duncanson (1821/2–1872) was a North American artist best known for his gorgeous landscape paintings. He was an early participant of the Hudson River School, an American landscape painting tradition. He was also one of the very first successful African-American artists. Landscape with Rainbow is a great example of Duncanson’s style. This painting depicts an unidentified rural landscape scene with part of a rainbow appearing in the sky above. Cattle graze in the middle ground while a couple strolls nearby. Except for a faint group of buildings barely visible in the distance, there are few signs of civilization.

Duncanson made many such ideal landscape paintings based on sites in the United States, Canada, Italy, and the British Isles. He also painted skillful still lives, portraits, and narrative scenes, although in much smaller numbers. His landscapes often feature striking atmospheric effects. During the American Civil War, Duncanson moved to Canada, where he was influential in the country’s landscape painting movement.

- Alexandra Kiely

P.S. Read about the six great female artists of the Hudson River School here. <3