MS01.01.03.B02.F10.026

22 [struck: 17]

The stringent enforcement of the repressive laws relevant to proof of
freedom and citizenship resulted in the exit or approximately 1,500 Blacks to
Canada after 1830 where they founded the town of Wilberforce, near London,
Ontario, a city named for the famous British abolitionist, William Wilberforce
of Holl, England, whose fiery voice against slavery in Great Britian. Young
Duncanson accompanied his father to Canada as it was the elder Duncanson's
desire that his son should be well-educated in the arts and have the benefit of
living in a society where racial prejudice was not so widespread.

The city of Cincinnati was considered by most Americans to be the "gateway
to the West". It had to live up to its name of cultural interest so art was
patronized by successful businessmen who emulated the societical patterns of
their wealthy competitors back East. Numerous portrait painters were trained
there as they were needed to record the wealth and success of the merchant-class
whose businesses flourished with the trade along the Ohio River. Many of these
artist later turned to landscape painting and it is assumed that Duncanson, upon
his return to the city in 1841, was greatly inspired by the success of these
artists who were the ardent followers of landscape artist Thomas Cole.

Cole had worked in and about the city of Cincinnati in the mid and late
1820's and later founded what came to be known as the Hudson River School of
Painting. The style of painting associated with the school required a keen
look at the landscape by the artist and an affirmative reaction to the romantic
beauty that abound in nature. Duncanson was greatly inspired by Cole's work
and took for himself the task of becoming a prophet of beauty as he sought to
paint the hills and valleys that spoke patriotically and poetically of "America