Chapter Five: American Sensations Summary and Analysis

By the late1930s, things were changing. It was taking half the time to cross the Atlantic. Communications to far-away points were delivered at the speed of light. Political upheaval against old monarchies had caused changes across Europe, including in France that had enjoyed transformation on a grand scale and all within a mere twenty years.

It was during this transitional time that young American artist George Healy came to the the notice of the French art world. He began receiving numerous commissions to paint portraits of members of French society. The most prominent individual he was commissioned to paint was King Louis-Philippe. In late 1845, the King commissioned Healy to travel back to the States to capture a portrait for him of Andrew Jackson who was reportedly dying. He wanted a portrait of the former...