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Portrait of the Artist

1800
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 733
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).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portrait of the Artist
  • Artist: John Vanderlyn (American, Kingston, New York 1775–1852 Kingston, New York)
  • Date: 1800
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 25 1/4 x 20 7/8 in. (64.1 x 53 cm)
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Ann S. Stephens, in memory of her mother, Mrs. Ann S. Stephens, 1918
  • Object Number: 18.118
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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4567. Portrait of the Artist

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More Artwork

More Artwork
Panoramic View of the Palace and Gardens of Versailles, John Vanderlyn American, Oil on canvas, American
Panoramic View of the Palace and Gardens of Versailles
John Vanderlyn
1818–19
Powder Horn, Horn (cow), lead, American
Powder Horn
American
18th century
Still Life—Violin and Music, William Michael Harnett American, Oil on canvas, American
Still Life—Violin and Music
William Michael Harnett
1888
Michael Angelo and Emma Clara Peale, Rembrandt Peale American, Oil on canvas, American
Michael Angelo and Emma Clara Peale
Rembrandt Peale
ca. 1826
Daniel Strobel, Jr., John Vanderlyn American, Probably Conté crayon, black chalk, and white gouache on off-white wove paper, American
Daniel Strobel, Jr.
John Vanderlyn
ca. 1799

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