Art Appreciation
Since my youth, I eagerly awaited the arrival of National Geographic and Smithsonian Magazine. I remember flipping through their pages, captivated by the photography and art within. Recently, my parents surprised me by renewing my subscription to Smithsonian.
As I leafed through the magazine, I stumbled upon an article by Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. He discussed a new exhibition uniting the works of Robert S. Duncanson and James P. Ball, two esteemed Black artists from the 19th century. In their prime, these artists, based in Cincinnati, gained international acclaim for their talent. The exhibition, held from September 15, 2023, to March 24, 2024, sheds light on the vibrant artistic community of that era, set against the symbolic backdrop of the Ohio River, representing the divide between slavery and freedom.
Duncanson's three chosen paintings portray scenes of refuge, subtly weaving abolitionist messages into seemingly serene landscapes, catering to his predominantly white audience while advocating for African American liberation.
James P. Ball, a trailblazer in daguerreotype photography, shares the spotlight with Duncanson in this exhibition. He showcases portraits of unnamed white subjects, possibly hand-colored by Duncanson himself. Ball's contribution to early photography, alongside figures like Glenalvin Goodridge and Augustus Washington, is further explored in an upcoming permanent collection installation, highlighting the democratization of portraiture through photography. As a curator dedicated to preserving Black artistic heritage, the inclusion of Ball's works underscores the pivotal role Black artists played in the struggle for equality, utilizing both the camera and the brush as instruments of empowerment during a transformative era in American history.
This exhibition encourages visitors to reflect on the nuances of Black creativity in the 19th century and its lasting impact on the quest for justice and acknowledgment.
Source:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/office-of-the-secretary-of-the-smithsonian/2024/01/05/robert-duncanson-james-ball-height-black-artistry-19th-century-america/
https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/ball-duncanson
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