The Calumny of Apelles

The Calumny of Apelles is classified as a history painting and appears in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Completed in 1849, the oil on canvas measures 57.2 cm by 72.4 cm. Its composition depicts a nude man alongside a woman, a subject drawn from classical antiquity that reflects the neoclassical interests of mid‑nineteenth‑century American artists. The work’s inclusion in a major museum collection underscores its significance within the trajectory of American academic art, where such subjects were employed to convey moral and historical narratives.

Scholars have noted Vanderlyn’s adaptation of European models in this piece, positioning it as a key example of how American painters engaged with historicizing themes during the period.

John Vanderlyn's 1849 oil on canvas painting, The Calumny of Apelles, draws its subject from an ancient Greek narrative. This work, part of the American Wing collection, presents a classical scene featuring multiple figures, including a nude, illustrating a timeless story of injustice and its consequences. It exemplifies the enduring appeal of mythological themes for artists and reflects Vanderlyn's engagement with historical subjects.