John Vanderlyn

American, 1775–1852

Vanderlyn was counted among the leading portrait painters in the U.S. when he first visited New Orleans in 1821 to show his Ariadne Asleep on the Isle of Naxos (1812), a nude figure that caused a sensation. He visited again in 1829 with a panorama of Versailles, exhibited on Rampart Street with limited success. Vanderlyn's early style is facile and fluid, reminiscent of Boston portraitist Gilbert Stuart (1755–1828).

Pierre Verloin DeGruy Jr. Attributed to John Vanderlyn, ca. 1821. Oil on canvas, 30 x 25 inches. Gift of Mrs. Grace von Schneidau Brown, Louisiana State Museum 1955.077.

Pierre Verloin DeGruy Jr.
Attributed to John Vanderlyn, c. 1821
Oil on canvas, 30 x 25 inches
Gift of Mrs. Grace von Schneidau Brown, Louisiana State Museum 1955.077

A native of New Orleans, DeGruy was born in 1799 to Joseph Verloin DeGruy and Marianne Courturier. He served during the Battle of New Orleans before marrying Francisca Azélie St. Amant. DeGruy built a humble grocery into one of the most successful commission merchant businesses in the city during the 1840s. He died in 1858. The hazy background and pink tones are consistent with known works by Vanderlyn from the period.

James Porter
Attributed to John Vanderlyn, c. 1825–1829
Oil on canvas, 30 x 25 inches
Gift of Edward C. Moore, Louisiana State Museum 09470.02

Jackson
John Vanderlyn, c. 1820
Engraving
Louisiana State Museum 00985

General Andrew Jackson
Engraved by Langlume after composition by John Vanderlyn, 1837
Hand-colored lithograph
Gift of Albert Lieutard, Louisiana State Museum 1955.236

Like many artists, Vanderlyn capitalized on the demand for portraits of military leaders and political figures.

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Hilary Breton Cenas. Attributed to Jacques Guillaume Lucien Amans, c. 1850. Oil on canvas, 27 x 22 inches. Loan of Mrs. Rene T. Beauregard. Louisiana State Museum 07052

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