Edward Mitchell Bannister (African, American, 1833 to 1901)
Edward Bannister started painting in the 1850s in Boston. He never received any formal artistic training but was greatly influenced by the artists of the Barbizon school, especially William Morris Hunt, who frequently exhibited his works in Boston. Bannister focused mainly on painting large, tranquil landscapes, and in 1876, his painting “Under the Oaks” won first prize in the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. This was the first art prize to have been won by an African-American artist. Bannister continued to have great success throughout his career, and eventually helped to establish the Providence Art Club.
Information courtesy of Skinner, Inc. September 2004.