Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

This beautiful painting, made in 1851-1851, celebrates the American settling of Kentucky. Although the artist, Bingham, was a Missourian, he created no paintings about Daniel Boone and his family settling on the Missouri frontier (then called Upper or Spanish Louisiana) in 1799.

As a child, Bingham watched artist Chester Harding complete the only portrait of Daniel Boone made from life. Unfortunately, Bingham's portrayal of Boone -- shown walking beside the white horse -- as a deur, out-of-shape, middle-aged man, bears little resemblance to the energetic Daniel Boone of reality, who was known for his cheerful countenance. The painting hangs in the Washington University Gallery of Arts in St. Louis.

Comments (1)

Jim Kuntz: ... In my opinion, Ms. Bradbury is making assumptions. At the time of this painting, Daniel Boone was 50 years old, he was middle aged. And not matter how in shape one is, when age is upon us we tend to put on girth, and I feel the representation is very accurate for the age the man is supposed to be. 1 October 02, 2006

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