The man who painted presidents died broke. Art's never been a fair game.
John Vanderlyn “...is pronounced to be the first painter that now is or ever has been in America.” ~ Aaron Burr, 1802 “The First Artist in America” is the story of John Vanderlyn, the celebrated artist who portrayed seven American presidents, rose to fame as a 19th century neoclassical history painter, and died penniless and alone in his hometown of Kingston, New York.
Production
Rare archival access to Vanderlyn's actual paintings and letters.
Direction
Carey treats Kingston local history with surprising cinematic scope.
Director
Tobe Carey
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Vanderlyn's massive panoramic painting 'Panorama of the Palace and Gardens of Versailles' (1818-19) still exists—unrolled, it's 12 feet high and 165 feet long.
This tiny indie doc about a forgotten painter from Kingston, NY somehow became essential viewing for understanding how America manufactured its own cultural identity.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
