The First Artist in America: The Life and Times of John Vanderlyn—Artist

Making it in the art world has always been tough, especially for trailblazers. Filmmaker Tobe Carey's biographical documentary on artist John Vanderlyn (1775-1852) combines historical observations, archival photographs, and reproductions of Vanderlyn's art. A protégé of the duel-winning Aaron Burr (the man who shot Alexander Hamilton)—who called Vanderlyn “…the first painter that now or ever has been in America”—Vanderlyn was also the first to be underappreciated. Classically trained and lauded in Paris, Vanderlyn specialized in historical paintings (such as presidential portraits) but also brought new and bold ideas to the New World art scene, with one nude in particular (Ariadne) causing enough controversy that men and women were only allowed to view it with others of their own gender. Perhaps his grandest achievements were his panoramas—360-degree contiguous works designed to be hung in round rooms. At one point, when support for Vanderlyn was at a peak, he secured funding to lease an art gallery called “The Rotunda” in New York City. But despite the popularity of panoramas, the funding model—an early form of “pay per view”—could not sustain the gallery, and Vanderlyn wound up taking his panoramas on the road for pop-up viewings wherever he could secure a space. As with many another artist, Vanderlyn died penniless but he left an indelible mark on the art scene. An interesting portrait of a lesser-known American artist, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Block)