Painters Born in the 1800s 1800s Painters    

Lesson 26: The Caves

by Robert Scott Duncanson

Directions

Study the painting for one week.

Over the week:

• Look at the painting.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Read about the artist.
• Practice reciting the names of the artist and the painting.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

Robert Scott Duncanson's landscape, 'The Caves,' captures the natural beauty of caves in Ohio. On first gaze, the viewer may not spot any humans in the painting. Do you see the people? How many do you see? Do you see the man helping the lady up the incline to the cave openings on the right? Do you see the lady up above them? Do you see any other people? Look closer, and you will see two people fishing on the riverbank in the background. Would you go inside the caves?

Vocabulary

Landscape: A wide view of the countryside, or a painting of this view.
Cave: A large underground chamber.
Ohio: A state in the eastern part of the United States of America.
Incline: A slope, such as on the side of a hill.
Brush: Undergrowth, small trees, and shrubs.
Riverbank: The land alongside a river.

Concepts

1. American landscape painter Robert Scott Duncanson was born in 1821 in Fayette, New York.

2. Zoom in and find Duncanson's birth state on the map of the United States.

3. His father was an emancipated Virginia slave.
4. As a young man, he painted houses, but longed to become an artist.
5. At that time, there were few, if any, opportunities for black people in America to formally study art, so Duncanson taught himself to paint.
6. Through determination, he overcame many obstacles. Consequently, he became a successful artist and traveled the world, capturing some of his adventures in paint.
7. Duncanson died in 1872 at the age of 51 in Detroit, Michigan.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

During the week, study the painting and find the following:

• Cave Openings (3)
• People Touring the Caves
• People Fishing
• Trees
• River
• Riverbank

Activity 2: Narrate the Painting

• After studying the painting, narrate the scene shown in the painting aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Complete Vocabulary Activities

• While studying the vocabulary words, point them out in the painting.
• Define each of the vocabulary words in your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Artist   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 34 of 'First Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Activity 5: Color the Painting   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 35 of 'First Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the painting?

1 / 4

Answer 1

The characters are well-dressed women and men. Two people in the background.

1 / 4

Question 2

What are the characters doing?

2 / 4

Answer 2

The well-dressed women and men are touring the caves. The two people on the riverbank are fishing.

2 / 4

Question 3

What is the setting of the painting?

3 / 4

Answer 3

The setting is outdoors, in Ohio near caves.

3 / 4

Question 4

How many dark cave openings do you see?

4 / 4

Answer 4

There are at least two cave openings on the left and one on the right, although more may be hidden in the brush.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the painting? The characters are well-dressed women and men. Two people in the background.
2. What are the characters doing? The well-dressed women and men are touring the caves. The two people on the riverbank are fishing.
3. What is the setting of the painting? The setting is outdoors, in Ohio near caves.
4. How many dark cave openings do you see? There are at least two cave openings on the left and one on the right, although more may be hidden in the brush.

References

'Robert Scott Duncanson.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Robert Scott Duncanson - The Caves.' Wikimedia Commons. Commons.wikimedia.org. n.p.