The History of American Painting

By Samuel Isham

Book Overview

"The History of American Painting" is a comprehensive and foundational study of the evolution of visual arts in the United States, authored by the distinguished artist and critic Samuel Isham. This authoritative work traces the development of American painting from its colonial roots through the early twentieth century, offering a detailed survey of the artists, movements, and cultural shifts that shaped a national aesthetic.

Within these pages, Isham explores the transition from early portraiture and the influence of European traditions to the emergence of distinctly American styles in landscape, genre painting, and historical compositions. The narrative highlights key figures who defined the era, examining their techniques, inspirations, and the social contexts in which they worked. By contextualizing the growth of art institutions and the changing tastes of the American public, the book provides a vital chronicle of the nation's artistic heritage.

As a significant contribution to art historiography, "The History of American Painting" remains an essential resource for scholars, students, and art enthusiasts. It captures the spirit of an era seeking to define itself through the canvas, making it an invaluable reference for understanding the trajectory of the fine arts in America.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025717481
• ISBN13: 9781025717487
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 698 Pages
• Weight: 2.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.1" x 9.2"