Sunset 1883

Edward Mitchell Bannister painted this oil on canvas, called ‘Sunset’, at an unknown date. Bannister was a Black artist who gained recognition in the late 19th century, a period marked by significant racial discrimination and limited opportunities for African Americans in the art world. His landscapes, often painted in a Barbizon style, emphasize the quiet dignity of nature. In this period after the Civil War, images of the landscape had a particular resonance. They evoked a sense of peace and offered a respite from the rapid industrialization and social changes of the time. Bannister's success was not only a personal achievement but also a powerful statement against the prevailing racial biases of the American art establishment. We should look at exhibition records, period reviews, and biographical accounts to understand the social context surrounding Bannister's career and how institutions of the art world supported or hindered Black artists. The meaning of this, and any artwork, is contingent on its social and institutional context.