Robert Duncan

from The George G. Matthews Collection of Western Art

Hubert Wackermann

1952 -0000

Robert Ducan was born in Salt Lake City, Utah into a large family that ultimately included 10 children. While spending his summers on his grandparents 10,000 - acre cattle ranch in the upper Green River area of Wyoming, he fell in love with life in the countryside.

When he was 11 his grandmother encouraged his interest in art by giving him his first set of paints and paying for art lessons. Robert’s grandmother’s early encouragement and her support of his interest in art eventually led him to enroll in the University of Utah to study art. Following college Duncan pursued a career as a commercial artist, before ultimately dedicating himself full-time to creating fine art of the American West. Duncan’s paintings are often scenes of Indians in snowy mountain environments.

That decision to pursue Western art proved to be a good one when at the age of only 29 Duncan was the youngest artist elected to the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America. However, within six years Duncan resigned from the Cowboy Artists of America to broaden his subject matter to include scenes of farm life and nostalgic vignettes of rural America.

Duncan sees his work as a return to traditional values and a simple and honest way of life that he fears is disappearing from the American landscape. “I’m interested in the ways we are all alike and feelings that are universal. I also paint out of concern that we are losing sight of things that have a profound impact on our souls and wellbeing. We all need a bit of nature in our lives.” And through his art he hopes, “that we might all try to save those things that really matter and leave our children a world where they can still enjoy the simple pleasures.”

AFTER LOST HORSES Oil on Masonite 1977 20 x 30 7⁄8 inches