“Daniel Boone Escorting Settlers Through the Cumberland Gap,” a significant oil on canvas painting by George Caleb Bingham, was completed in 1852. This historical artwork, which adheres to the Romanticism and Naïve Art (Primitivism) movements, stands at dimensions of 127.6 x 92.7 cm. The painting, belonging to the genre of history painting, is housed at the Washington University Gallery of Art (WUSTL) in St. Louis, MO, US.
The artwork vividly depicts the iconic American frontiersman Daniel Boone leading a group of settlers through the rugged terrain of the Cumberland Gap. The scene is suffused with dramatic lighting, emphasizing the bold and determined expressions of the settlers as they navigate the treacherous environment. In the foreground, Boone, identifiable by his attire and confident posture, stands ahead of the group, guiding them on foot with a rifle. Beside him, a woman rides a white horse, her expression shielded by a hooded cloak. The settlers following behind are captured in varying poses of resilience and resolve, aided by their loyal canine companion. The dark, craggy cliffs and ominous sky enhance the sense of peril and adventure, embodying the spirit of discovery and the pioneering ethos of the time. The attention to detail and the arrangement of figures convey both the hardships and hopes of these early American pioneers.
