VAM galleries including this work:
The Kentucky Historical Society | Kentucky Past and Present || VAM Home

This painting of Dennis Doram is one of a pair of portraits of a prominent African-American married couple of antebellum Kentucky (see the accompanying portrait of his wife, Diademia). The Dorams were living in Danville when they had their portraits painted by well-known Kentucky artist Patrick Henry Davenport in 1839.

As free people, the Dorams were exceptions to the enslaved or second-class status of most African Americans in Kentucky at the time. Dennis had been born into slavery at Indian Queen Tavern in Danville to a woman named Lydia in 1796. He was freed according to the will of his owner at the age of 31. Diademia Taylor was born in 1810. She was purchased in 1814 by her father, a free African American, and brought from St. Louis to Kentucky. Married on February 15, 1830, Dennis and Diademia eventually had 12 children.

Dennis Doram was a successful businessman. At various times he was involved with the Caldwell School for Women, a rope factory, and a hemp business. By the 1840s, the Dorams had several thousand dollars in the bank and owned hundreds of acres of land. One of their sons, Joshua Doram, served in the Union army during the Civil War. Dennis Doram died on October 18, 1869.

About the Artist

The Doram portraits are believed to be the only paintings of African Americans done by Patrick Henry Davenport, who mainly worked in Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. The Kentucky Historical Society also has portraits by Davenport of Mrs. Isaac Shelby, the wife of the first governor of Kentucky, and abolitionist John Brown.

Classroom Ideas

Discussion: “Read” this portrait by examining and discussing these elements: facial expression, pose, clothing, props, and elements of art. What does this portrait tell you about Dennis Doram?

Activity: Plan and create a portrait of a classmate or friend that incorporates the intentional use of the elements above.

Note: These portraits also relate to social studies content—specifically the study of the political, social, economic, and cultural differences in the United States that resulted in the American Civil War.

Links

Learn about the conservation of the Doram portraits at the Kentucky Historical Society web site.
[history.ky.gov/About_KHS/KHS_News_Davenport_Portraits.htm]

Meet more Kentucky artists in the Art and Artists entry in the Kentucky Encyclopedia (subscription required for online version).
[www.kyenc.org/perl/entry_result.perl?ID=ARTAN01&words=Davenport,%20Patrick%20Henry&SearchType=Full]

You’ll find more images of portraits, along with informational and classroom resources, at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery.
[www.npg.si.edu]