Portrait of the Artist

John Vanderlyn American

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 756

Vanderlyn, a New York native, executed this masterful self-portrait in Paris, where he had lived for four years; he was the first American-born painter to study in France. The work demonstrates the influence of Vanderlyn’s teacher, François-André Vincent, as well as that of the Neoclassical master Jacques-Louis David, who lauded the canvas at the Salon of 1800. The artist presented the portrait to his friend and patron, the American politician Aaron Burr. Vanderlyn’s fascination with France would later result in the spectacular "Panoramic View of the Palace and Gardens of Versailles" (1818–19; 52.184), also on view in the American Wing (gallery 735).

#4567. Portrait of the Artist

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Portrait of the Artist, John Vanderlyn (American, Kingston, New York 1775–1852 Kingston, New York), Oil on canvas, American

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