John Vanderlyn
John Vanderlyn was among the first generation of artists who tried to raise the standards of American art to the level of European painting, which was then considered far superior. After studying basic painting techniques with Gilbert Stuart, Vanderlyn spent 19 years studying in Europe, where he was fascinated by ancient statues and neoclassical history painting. Vanderlyn found limited success back in America, as there was little demand for the grand history paintings he wanted to paint.
What has been your greatest failure?
Vanderlyn drew inspiration for this painting from Plutarch’s Lives, a classical book of biographies of famous Greek and Roman figures. Marius was a military leader and member of the Roman consulate who fell from power during the second century BC. In hopes of gathering an army to conquer Rome, he fled to Carthage in North Africa, where his life was threatened and he was denied asylum. Here, Vanderlyn painted the famous general in his defeat. The ruins suggest doom, decay, and unfulfilled aspirations.
Gift of M.H. de Young
\ Also in this gallery
