Charles T. Webber

Webber created hundreds of paintings during his lifetime, including portraits, landscapes, mythological and historical scenes, as well as genre subjects.

He was an active member in Cincinnati’s art scene, founding many artistic groups, and was also a prominent figure in the Underground Railroad.

After moving to Springfield, Ohio, in 1844, Webber was befriended by a fellow artist by the name of John Peter Frankenstein, who became his art teacher.

Once he had gained the skills, Webber was able to make a living through teaching students of his own, and by painting portraits.

[2] At this time, he was able to gain employment in David R. Hoag’s Cincinnati studio as a photograph tinter.

This prompted Webber to move into his own art studio, which was located at 14 East Fourth Street.

[2] Through his involvement in many of Cincinnati's artistic groups and clubs, Webber was able to establish himself as an art educator.

In 1896, he created a bust of H. Thane Miller, who was the director of the Cincinnati House of Refuge, out of bronze.

Aiming to gain higher quality facilities for those in the artistic community, the academy sponsored a number of exhibitions.

These members proved to bring about the group's eventual undoing, with the final meeting taking place on August 6, 1864, in Leon van Loo's studio.

The organisation was founded by a group of amateur and more experienced artists who had a vision to make Cincinnati “the Art-center of the Great West”.

After his death, his artist friends wanted to purchase one of Webber's paintings, ‘The Underground Railroad’, for the Cincinnati Art Museum.

[2] This gesture indicates the high regard in which Webber was held within the artistic community of Cincinnati, and the reputation he had created for himself within the art world of the 19th Century.

Webber created a number of paintings during his life, many of which contributed to his popularity among other artists in Cincinnati's art scene.

The painting by Webber which is most well-known is ‘Underground Railroad’, which he created for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

"The Ends Of Time: Abolition, Apocalypse, And Narrativity In Robert S. Duncanson’s Literary Paintings".

"The Underground Railroad - Charles T. Webber (American, B.1825, D.1911) - Google Arts & Culture".