The Landing of Columbus

John Vanderlyn, The Landing of Columbus, ca. 1840, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of I. Austin Kelly III, 1971.5
John Vanderlyn, The Landing of Columbus, ca. 1840, oil on canvas, 27 3⁄8 x 40 1⁄4 in. (69.5 x 102.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of I. Austin Kelly III, 1971.5
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Artwork Details

Title
The Landing of Columbus
Artist
Date
ca. 1840
Location
Dimensions
27 3⁄8 x 40 1⁄4 in. (69.5 x 102.3 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of I. Austin Kelly III
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure group
  • Waterscape — boat
  • Indian
  • Occupation — other — explorer
  • History — United States — discovery of United States
  • Portrait male — Columbus, Christopher
Object Number
1971.5
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1971.5

Artwork Description

This painting is an oil sketch for the Landing of Columbus in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol. Winning a commission from Congress meant a great deal to nineteenth-century artists because, as well as ensuring their reputation, it allowed them to play a part in shaping the nation's history. This painting shows the moment, on October 12, 1492, when Columbus and his men landed on the island of San Salvador and claimed all of the New World for Spain. John Vanderlyn spent a great deal of time working on this piece, and even traveled to the West Indies to make sure every detail of his painting was accurate. (Schoonmaker, John Vanderlyn, Artist, 1775-1852; A Biography, 1950)

Works by this artist (16 items)

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Joseph Stella, Neapolitan Song, 1929, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Françoise and Harvey Rambach, 2000.11
Neapolitan Song
Artist
Date1929
oil on canvas
Not on view
Joseph Stella, Mecca I, 1940, paper, tinfoil, and tempera on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1969.70
Mecca I
Artist
Date1940
paper, tinfoil, and tempera on paper
Not on view
Joseph Stella, Untitled--Tree Trunk, ca.1910, printed late 1950s, etching on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Bernard Rabin in memory of Henry A. Rabin, 1989.17.5
Untitled – Tree Trunk
Artist
Dateca.1910, printed late 1950s
etching on paper
Not on view
Joseph Stella, Portrait of Clara Fasano, 1944, pencil and pastel on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 1973.32.1
Portrait of Clara Fasano
Artist
Date1944
pencil and pastel on paper
Not on view

Audio

Stop 142: The Landing of Columbus

The Landing of Columbus
about 1840, oil on canvas

JOHN VANDERLYN
Born: ingston, New York 1775– Died: Kingston, New York 1852

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