John Vanderlyn Biography

American painter, John Vanderlyn spent most of his career living in New York City. He traveled to Europe from 1796 to 1815 where he practiced his Neoclassical and Romantic style of painting. He was the first American painter to study in Paris. His most famous painting, Ariadne Asleep on Naxos is considered the best American nude before Eakins. Vanderlyn was successful in France but did not fare as well in the States. He worked as portraitist and died in poverty.