ATTRIBUTED TO ROBERT S. DUNCANSON (AMERICAN, 1821-1872), OIL ON CANVAS, H 33", W 60", PARADISE & PERI THEME:C. 1871; unsigned; gilt frame. Purchased c. 2002-2003 from a private individual in the Indianapolis, IN area. Thought to be possibly the missing painting that was mentioned in Joseph Ketner's book, "The Emergence of the African-American Artist, Robert S. Duncanson 1821-1872" (pp. 174-175) which was inspired by Thomas Moore's, "Paradise and the Peri" from the Orientalist poem, "Lalia Rookh". The missing Duncanson, "Paradise and the Peri" was: exhibited at Wiswell's Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio , Aug. 1871; exhibited in Monroe, MI, Sept. 1871; exhibited in Detroit, MI, Sept. 1871 and reviewed by the Detroit Free Press, Sept. 16, 1871, page 1; acquired locally by C.L. Andrews at the Detroit exhibition; loaned to the Detroit City Hall and was hung in the sheriff's office where it was vandalized by an irate citizen in 1876; donated by Andrews to the Detroit Institute of Arts, 1903-1904; the DIA sent it to G.H. Weigert to be auctioned where it was sold Nov. 29, 1918 (see Francis Waring Robinson papers, Detroit Institute of Art, Roll 511); locations after that are unknown. Stamped on verso of stretcher, "W.G. Bickford, Dealer of Artist's Colors and Materials, 189 W. Fourth St., Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Bickford was listed as a "Dealer of Artist's Materials" only in 1869 and 1870. The listing changed to Artist' Emporium in 1871 with the same address. Bickford lived at 185 1/2 W. Fourth St. in 1870. Duncanson lived at 187 W. Fourth St. in 1872. Bickford's business was at 189 W. Fourth St, 1869-1875. Marked on the verso of the original canvas (before being lined): "G.W. Stubbs", "A.W. Pugh" (see photo detail). G.W. Stubbs was the brother-in-law of A.W. Pugh of the Pugh family of Cincinnati. Duncanson worked with Achilles Pugh in his print shop in Cincinnati in the 1850's to early 1860's. Duncanson was a friend of the Pugh family in Cincinnati. Both G.W. Stubbs and A.W. Pugh were in Cincinnati in 1871. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE 54-PAGE SCANNED DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE PAINTING AND ARTIST. C.10% restoration of prior damage (tears, losses, etc.) as viewed under UV light; some over cleaning, lined; some stabilized craquelure; original stretchers; period frame is chipped and has losses. Natalia Nikolayev (B.A. in painting conservation), Indianapolis, IN restored the painting in June 2006 (consolidation of paint layer and ground with sturgeon glue, restoration of canvas losses with original pieces of canvas from the sides of the painting, filling made with Modostuc, lined with Beva-film, retouching with Gamblin conservation paints, etc.). Research information from the consignor, including photos of the painting before and after the restoration and the summary of the restoration done by Nikolayev, is available for viewing upon request.