A watercolor painting by 19th-century Philadelphia artist William H. Dorsey is now on display at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania after it was plucked from the depths of a Glenside, Pennsylvania thrift store—and potential obscurity.
The untitled landscape, which dates to 1864, is thought to be Dorsey’s only surviving painting, according to Philadelphia’s WHYY. Dorsey, who was part of a prominent Black family in Philadelphia, was known primarily for his extensive scrapbooking of Black community history. Dorsey’s artistic output was largely undocumented, with no other paintings found in museum collections or auction records. However a 1896 article published in the Philadelphia Times refers to Dorsey as “a true artistic talent.”
The watercolor was discovered last year by Andy Robbins, an HR professional and frequent thrift store visitor, at New Life Thrift. The small oval painting features a tranquil scene with a figure fishing near a church and a mill. Intrigued by the signature “W.H. Dorsey 1864,” Robbins purchased the piece for $10 and later shared his find on Instagram. His post caught the attention of the digital history project 1838 Black Metropolis, whose researchers connected the painting to William H. Dorsey.
Dorsey was the son of Thomas Dorsey, a former slave who escaped to Philadelphia and became a wealthy caterer. This wealth allowed William to pursue art and historical preservation. He co-founded the American Negro Historical Society and maintained a personal museum of African American art and history in his home. Dorsey exhibited paintings at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) in 1867 and 1868, including a work titled The Fisherman, which might be the painting Robbins found.
After discovering its historical significance, Robbins decided to donate the painting to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania rather than try and cash in on his discovery. It now forms part of the institution’s exhibition on recent acquisitions.
