John A. Sidell 1827 - 1830

John Vanderlyn painted this portrait of John A. Sidell in the United States, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. The conventions of portraiture in this period, particularly for male subjects, were influenced by a desire to project an image of seriousness and respectability. Sidell’s dark coat and white cravat were typical attire for gentlemen, and his composed expression conveys a sense of decorum. Vanderlyn, who had been trained in France, brought a cosmopolitan sensibility to American art, subtly visible in the refinement of his brushwork and the subtle play of light. The rise of portraiture in the United States was connected to the evolving social and political landscape. As the nation developed its own identity, so did the wealthy individuals who sought to mark their status through painted likenesses. Careful art historical research, paired with social and economic history can reveal a great deal about these men and the society in which they lived. Art like this, therefore, becomes a window onto a vanished world.