John Vanderlyn (1775-1852)
Watercolor on ivory. 1800

John Vanderlyn, Artist (1775-1852)

One of America's first nationally recognized artists, John Vanderlyn's income and repute as an artist declined considerably during his lifetime. His accomplishments were rediscovered in the 20th century. Born in Kingston in 1775 and educated at the Kingston Academy, John Vanderlyn as a young man gained the support of Aaron Burr, who sponsored his art education in Paris. Trained in the neo-classical tradition, Vanderlyn's works included large-scale scenes of nature, historical paintings, and portraits commissioned by leading residents of the Hudson Valley.

The Senate House State Historic Site houses and displays the largest collection of Vanderlyn's works. On the following pages, we provide a short description of Vanderlyn's life and works.

Selected Works from the Senate House Collection

Grandiose Ambitions: The Lifelong Struggle of John Vanderlyn

You may also wish to print these pages.

1775-1803: Early Training in America and Paris

1803-1815: European Experience, Again!

1816-1837: The American Experience

1838-1846: Final Trip to Paris

1846-1852: The Final Years