Skip to main content

Jean Leon Gerome Ferris Art

American, 1863-1930

Jean Leon Gerome Ferris 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. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 18, 1863, as the son of Stephen James Ferris, a portrait painter who was a devotee of Jean-Léon Gérôme (after whom he was named) and also an admirer of Mariano Fortuny. He grew up around art, having been trained by his father and having two acclaimed painters, Edward Moran and Thomas Moran, as uncles. 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 Ferris's decision to paint scenes from American history. As Ferris wrote in his unpublished autobiography, “Gérôme's axiom was that one would paint best that with which he is most familiar." His early subjects were Orientalist in nature, that movement having been in vogue when he was young. Some of his material was original, some of it took after Fortuny, but he was skilled enough, despite never having had any experience with art. In 1882, he exhibited a painting entitled Feeding the Ibis, which was valued at $600. By 1895, Ferris 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 one of these, General Howe's Levee, 1777, but he later regretted it, realizing that such a series could not be complete if the separate paintings could not be kept together. Ferris, who had married Annette Amelia Ryder in 1894 and with whom he had a daughter named Elizabeth Mary, died in Philadelphia on March 18, 1930.

to
1
2
1
2
1
1
Overall Height
to
Overall Width
to
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
6,961
3,321
2,514
1,213
1
1
1
1
1
Artist: Jean Leon Gerome Ferris
“A Page of Love”
By Jean Leon Gerome Ferris
Located in Southampton, NY
Here is a wonderful original watercolor and gouache depicting a scene from Emile Zola book “A Page of Love” by the American artist, Jean Leon Gerome Ferris....
Category

1890s Victorian Jean Leon Gerome Ferris Art

Materials

Watercolor, Gouache, Archival Paper

"The Spinner, " Etching signed by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris
By Jean Leon Gerome Ferris
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"The Spinner" is an original etching by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris. It depicts a woman in an interior next to a spinning wheel. The artist signed the piece lo...
Category

1880s Realist Jean Leon Gerome Ferris Art

Materials

Etching

Related Items
"King of the Friendly Islands" (Tonga); Engraving from Captain Cook's 3rd Voyage
By John Webber
Located in Alamo, CA
"Poulaho, King of the Friendly Islands, Drinking Kava" is an engraving created by William Sharp (1749-1824), from a drawing by John Webber (1752-1793), who was the artist on Captain James Cook's 3rd and final voyage of discovery. It was published in the atlas of "A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Undertaken by the Command of His Majesty, for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere", the official British Admirality sanctioned journal published upon completion of the voyage in London in 1784 by Strahan & Cadell. Captain Cook visited Tonga on his 3rd voyage, which he named The Friendly Islands because of the warm welcome he and his crew received, unlike some of the other more hostile Pacific islands. The engraving depicts Cook and his men observed a kava ceremony at the village of Mu’a on Tongatapu. King Paulaho sits in the centre foreground, his back to the spectator with a man kneeling before him. The ceremonial mat depicted behind Paulaho indicates that nobody was allowed to sit behind him. The figure in the centre holds a single cup, referring to the Tongan custom of offering the cup to the king first. Kava is native to the islands of the South Pacific and was first described for English readers in 1768 by Captain James Cook. The kava root has been used for centuries as a central feature of ceremonies and celebrations because it was able to bring about a calming and pleasant social atmosphere. The root was crushed and processed into coconut milk to become the focal ceremonial beverage, simply referred to as kava. This engraving is presented in a Koa wood frame and a white mat. Koa wood is legendary in Hawaii. There are occasional faint spots, but the print is otherwise in very good condition. This amazing Koa wood is native to Hawaii and it is known for the deep rich colors and varied grain pattern. Koa has an honored heritage in Hawaii and is highly revered and sacred. The word “koa” means “warrior” in Hawaiian. The warriors of King Kamehameha the Great, created canoes and weapons from a wood plentiful on the Big Island of Hawaii. This wood became synonymous with the warriors themselves, and it became known as koa. There are three other engravings listed from the official journal of Captain Cook's 3rd voyage available that are presented in identical Koa wood frames and mats (LU117324682422, LU117324684052, LU117324684032). They would make a wonderful grouping for a display of 2, 3 or 4 prints. A discount is available for a grouping depending on the number of items included. Captain Cook is remembered as one of the greatest explorers and navigators in history. His explorations included Australia, New Zealand and islands of the South Pacific and the northwest coast of North America. Hawaii was discovered by Captain Cook during this voyage. Hawaii was originally called The Sandwich Islands in honor of The Earl of Sandwich...
Category

1780s Realist Jean Leon Gerome Ferris Art

Materials

Engraving

1910's Art Deco Erte Gouache Painting Original Hand Signed Rare French Costume
By Erté
Located in Buffalo, NY
A rare original signed Art Deco gouache on paper by Erte (Romain de Tirtoff) . This stunning theatrical costume design is signed Erte at the lower right. The piece is 20 by 18 fram...
Category

1910s Art Deco Jean Leon Gerome Ferris Art

Materials

Pencil, Archival Paper, Gouache

Vintage 1980 Judaica Chassidic Poster Simchas Torah Hakafos Chabad Artist
By Zalman Kleinman
Located in Surfside, FL
Vintage framed plate signed poster. Zalman Kleiman, Born in Leningrad, Russia in 1933 into a Lubavitcher Hasidic family, was a self taught Chassidic artist living in Crown Heights, ...
Category

1970s Realist Jean Leon Gerome Ferris Art

Materials

Offset

Vintage Le Corbusier '69 David Hockney Exhibition Poster Kilim southwest rug
By (after) David Hockney
Located in New York, NY
Shading in bright turquoise above a Southwestern style thunderbird Kilim rug adorns this original exhibition poster for David Hockney's 1969 show at Andre Emmerich, New York. This po...
Category

1960s Realist Jean Leon Gerome Ferris Art

Materials

Lithograph

Circle of John Varley, 19th century view of a mountain lake
By John Varley
Located in Harkstead, GB
A charming 19th century view of a figure on the shore of a mountain lake, framed by the foliage of a birch tree. Circle of John Varley (1778-1842) Figure on the shore of a mountain ...
Category

19th Century Victorian Jean Leon Gerome Ferris Art

Materials

Watercolor, Paper

Kumasaka Chōhan to Ushiwakamaru - One of a Diptych Original Woodcut Print
By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Located in Soquel, CA
Kumasaka Chōhan to Ushiwakamaru is a Japanese Ukiyo-e print created between 1848 and 1854 by artist Utagawa Kunisada (Japanese, 1786-1864). The print is a Diptych, and is part of the...
Category

1850s Realist Jean Leon Gerome Ferris Art

Materials

Printer's Ink, Rice Paper, Woodcut

Politics
By Edmund Blampied
Located in Storrs, CT
Politics (Tonnere de Brest). 1926. Drypoint. Appleby 108. 7 x 9 (sheet 10 1/2 x 15 1/2). A rich impression printed on cream wove paper with full margins. Illustrated: Salaman, Modern...
Category

Early 20th Century Modern Jean Leon Gerome Ferris Art

Materials

Drypoint, Etching

Politics
Politics
H 16 in W 20 in D 0.5 in
Jan Oytenbogaert
By Rembrandt van Rijn
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled Jan Uytenbogaert" 1639 is an etching on paper After Rembrandt Van Rijn, 1606-1669, plate engraved By French renown engraver Charles Armand Durand, 1831-1905. Sign...
Category

17th Century Realist Jean Leon Gerome Ferris Art

Materials

Etching

Jan Oytenbogaert
Jan Oytenbogaert
H 25.25 in W 24 in D 1 in
The Butterfly /// Antique Victorian Watercolor Girl Lady Landscape Romantic Art
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Jan Jacobus Matthijs Damschröder (Dutch, 1825-1905) Title: "The Butterfly" *Signed by Damschröder lower right Circa: 1880 Medium: Original Gouache/Watercolor Painting on paper Framing: Framed in a gold-leafed mat and Victorian gesso frame...
Category

1880s Victorian Jean Leon Gerome Ferris Art

Materials

Watercolor, Gouache, Gesso

Ichimura Uzaemon XIII - actor as Okaji of Gion, 1862 "The Six Poetry Immortals"
By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Located in Soquel, CA
Ichimura Uzaemon XIII - actor as Okaji of Gion, 1862 "The Six Poetry Immortals" A Japanese Ukiyo-e woodcut print created circa 1862 by artist Utagawa Kunisada (Japanese, 1786-1864). ...
Category

1850s Realist Jean Leon Gerome Ferris Art

Materials

Printer's Ink, Rice Paper, Woodcut

German late 19th century children flying in a plane in an early plane
Located in Woodbury, CT
Karl Feiertag (c.1874-1944) was an Austrian painter. He studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna with Franz Rumpler, Kasimir Pochwalski, and Josef Mathias Trenkwald. He wo...
Category

Early 1900s Victorian Jean Leon Gerome Ferris Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Dornröschen (Sleeping Beauty.)
By Heinrich Vogeler
Located in Storrs, CT
Reif 20.IIc(of e). 10 5/8 x 9 3/4 (sheet 19 X 12 3/4). Slight scattered foxing in the margins, away from the image. A rich, tonal impression printed on sturdy wove paper. Proof aside...
Category

Late 19th Century Jugendstil Jean Leon Gerome Ferris Art

Materials

Fiberglass, Drypoint, Etching, Aquatint

Jean Leon Gerome Ferris art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Jean Leon Gerome Ferris art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris in archival paper, etching, gouache and more. Not every interior allows for large Jean Leon Gerome Ferris art, so small editions measuring 4 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Antoine Calbet, Margaret Sweet Johnson, and Anne Muntges. Jean Leon Gerome Ferris art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,050 and tops out at $1,250, while the average work can sell for $1,150.

Artists Similar to Jean Leon Gerome Ferris

Recently Viewed

View All