The Spinner

Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (August 8, 1863 – March 18, 1930) was an American painter best known for his series of 78 scenes from American history, entitled "The Pageant of a Nation," the largest series of American historical paintings by a single artist. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ferris was the son of Stephen James Ferris, a portrait painter who was a devotee of Jean-Léon Gérôme (his teacher after whom he was named). He grew up around art; he was trained by his father, and his uncles Edward Moran and Thomas Moran were both acclaimed painters. Ferris enrolled in the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1879 and trained further at the Académie Julian beginning in 1883 under William-Adolphe Bouguereau. He also met his namesake Jean-Léon Gérôme, who greatly influenced his decision to paint scenes from American history. His early subjects were Orientalist in nature since that movement was in vogue when he was young. By 1895, he had gained a reputation as a historical painter, and he embarked on his dream of creating a series of paintings that told a historical narrative. In 1898, he sold "General Howe's Levee, 1777," but he later realized that such a series could not be complete if the separate paintings could not be kept together. Consequently, he never sold another, but he did sell the reproduction rights to various publishing companies. This had the effect of greatly popularizing his work, as these companies made prints, postcards, calendars, and blank-backed trade cards to use in advertisements. The paintings showed idealized portrayals of famous moments from American history. The complete series was shown at Congress Hall in Philadelphia from 1913 to 1930. In later years, it was shown in a number of locations, including the Smithsonian Institution. Ferris died in Philadelphia in 1930 at age 66.