Skip to Main Content

 Admission is always freeOpen today: 10:00  to 5:00  Directions             Play Artle            

                  -  Visit                      - Visit
                    - Getting Here
                    - Accessibility
                    - Tours, Guides & Maps
                    - Food & Drink
                    - Gallery Shops
                    - Visitor Policies 
                  -  Collection                      - Collection
                    - Highlights
                    - Search the Collection
                    - Artists Search
                    - Acquisition Highlights
                    - Stories
                    - Games 
                  -  Exhibitions                      - Exhibitions
                    - Current
                    - Special Installations
                    - Upcoming
                    - On Tour
                    - Past 
                  -  Calendar                      - Calendar
                    - Films
                    - Performances
                    - Talks
                    - Guided Tours
                    - After Hours
                    - Fun for Kids
                    - Festivals
                    - Workshops 
                  -  Learn                      - Learn
                    - Teachers
                    - Families
                    - Teens
                    - Adults
                    - Learning Resources
                    - Music Programs
                    - Film Programs 
                  -  Conservation                      - Conservation
                    - Projects
                    - Publications
                    - Resources 
                  -  Research                      - Research
                    - The Center
                    - Publications
                    - Make an Appointment
                    - Archives
                    - Library
                    - NGA Online Editions 
                  -  Support                      - Support
                    - Donate Now
                    - National Membership
                    - Circle Membership
                    - Leadership Groups
                    - Planned Giving
                    - Major Giving
                    - Gifts of Art 
                  -  Shop                      - Shop
                    - Books
                    - Jewelry
                    - Apparel & Accessories
                    - Kids
                    - NGA Custom Prints 
                  -  Play Artle

Home>Learn>Teachers>Video>American Art, 1785–1926

# American Art, 1785–1926: Seven Artist Profiles

This DVD contains seven presentations on American artists of the nineteenth century. A thirty-two page viewer's guide includes a biography of each artist and reproductions of featured works.

The *American Art, 1785–1926* DVD compilation includes the following titles:
                    - *John James Audubon:*The Birds of America  Audubon documented the great variety of American birds and wrote extensively on nature and the American wilderness. Using quotations from his journals and his original drawings and engravings, this film tells the unique story of Audubon's artistic development and his uncompromising devotion to publishing  The Birds of America . Works of art are interwoven with live-motion nature photography and footage of sites prominent in Audubon's life and work.   29 minutes  
                    - **An American Impressionist: William Merritt Chase at Shinnecock**  This film highlights Chase's years at Shinnecock, on Long Island, New York, where in 1891 he established the first important outdoor summer school of art in America. Chase's paintings and archival photographs—many of the artist's studios—are interwoven with footage of the hills and beaches at Shinnecock and Chase's house and studio as they are today.   26 minutes  
                    - **The Landscapes of Frederic Edwin Church**  This program traces Church's career from early studies in the Hudson River valley with the eminent painter Thomas Cole through the years when Church's heroic depictions of the natural wonders of the Americas made him the nation's most celebrated landscape painter. Footage of the Catskills and of Church's final work of art—Olana, his splendid house overlooking the Hudson River in upstate New York—is included.  29 minutes  
                    - **Winslow Homer: The Nature of the Artist**  This film follows Homer's art from his early illustrations of the Civil War to his picturesque and charming scenes of the country and shore, and finally to the powerful images of nature that characterize his mature and late work. The film's commentary provides a guide to Homer's artistic progress and achievements—particularly his transformation of watercolor from a purely descriptive to a powerfully expressive vehicle.   29 minutes
                    - *Thomas "Yellowstone" Moran*  This film recounts the story of Moran's involvement with the government-sponsored survey expedition to Yellowstone in 1871. Using archival photographs and footage of Yellowstone, the film underscores the pivotal role that Moran's paintings played in securing passage of a bill to establish the first national park.  12 minutes
                    -  *Important Information Inside: John F. Peto and the Idea of Still-Life Painting*  This program explores Peto's art in the context of his native Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where he trained. Live footage shows the artist's home and studio in Island Heights, New Jersey, which reveal the artist's temperament in their design and object collections—the very forms found in his paintings. A survey of the development of still-life painting in American art is also included.   28 minutes
                    - James McNeill Whistler: The Lyrics of Art  Painter and printmaker James McNeill Whistler was one of the most controversial and fascinating personalities of the nineteenth century. This film follows his life and career in America, London, Paris, and Venice. From his early realist paintings to his nearly abstract Nocturnes, Whistler's aesthetic innovations were precursors of trends in twentieth-century art.   19 minutes

*All programs are closed captioned.*

***American Art, 1785–1926*(DVD compilation)**DV332

Note: You will need to create an account to borrow materials. If you already have an account, you will be prompted to enter your borrower ID and last name.

### Stay connected

Learn more about our exhibitions, news, programs, and special offers.

About
          - About the National Gallery
          - Stories
          - Press
          - FAQs
          - Contact Us

Plan a Visit
          - Getting Here
          - Accessibility
          - Today's Tours
          - Food & Drink
          - Calendar
          - Downloadable Map

Get Involved
          - Donate
          - Membership
          - Volunteer
          - Opportunities
          - Shop Online

Resources
          - Search the Collection
          - Conservation
          - Library
          - Archives
          - The Center
          - Film Programs
          - Music Programs
          - Audio/Video
          - Open Access Images

Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily

**West Building**6th St and Constitution Ave NW*Enter or exit from Constitution Avenue, 4th Street, or 7th Street. The Madison Drive entrance is currently closed.*

**East Building**4th St and Constitution Ave NW*Enter and exit from 4th Street.*

**Sculpture Garden**7th St and Constitution Ave NW*Enter and exit from 7th Street, Constitution Avenue, or Madison Drive.*

We are closed on December 25 and January 1.

*The National Gallery of Art serves the nation by welcoming all people to explore and experience art, creativity, and our shared humanity.*

          -  Twitter 
          -  Facebook 
          -  Instagram 
          -  Pinterest 
          -  YouTube 

© 2024 National Gallery of Art   Notices   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy