The Forgotten Millionaire ArtistThe Forgotten Millionaire Artist: In the mid-19th century, a name dominated the art world, not with easel paintings or sculptures, but with an extraordinary and innovative art form: the panorama. That name was John Banvard.
Key points
Although virtually unknown today, Banvard was once the richest and most famous painter of his time, thanks to his grand panoramic paintings. His story is one of ambition, creativity, and a tragic fall from grace.
A Struggling Start: From Poverty to Painting
John Banvard’s journey to fame began with hardship. Born to a family that fell into destitution after his father’s death, Banvard had to fend for himself from a young age. At just fifteen, he left his family in New York and headed for Kentucky, surviving on odd jobs. He painted scenery for a traveling theatre company and sold small panoramic paintings, all while dreaming of creating something monumental.
By 1844, Banvard found himself on the Mississippi River, where his grand idea began to take shape. He envisioned a vast panorama, capturing the essence of the river’s landscape and life along its banks. For two years, Banvard painstakingly painted his masterpiece, funding his work by selling whatever he could along the river. His determination and ingenuity led him to patent a system that kept his massive painting from sagging, a crucial innovation for displaying such a large piece.
The Birth of the “Three Mile Painting”
In June 1846, Banvard was ready to showcase his creation, which he called the “Three Mile Painting,” though it was actually 12 feet high and hundreds of feet long, depicting over 1,200 miles of the Mississippi River. He rented a hall in Louisville, Kentucky, but his first night was a flop—no one showed up. Undeterred, Banvard handed out free tickets to riverboat crews, hoping they would spread the word. Slowly, his audience grew, and so did his fame.
Banvard’s panorama was not just a painting; it was an immersive experience. He narrated the scenes, embellishing them with tales of adventure, shipwrecks, and river pirates, turning his exhibition into a captivating show. His ingenuity paid off as the crowds swelled, and soon, Banvard was performing in front of packed houses. His success in Louisville led him to Boston, where over a quarter of a million people paid fifty cents each to see his panorama.
Fame and Fortune in America and Beyond
With the success of his Boston show, Banvard became a household name. He earned over $100,000 in profits, a staggering sum at the time, and took his panorama to New York City, where it continued to draw massive crowds. By 1848, Banvard had set his sights on Europe, where his fame only grew. He toured England, showcasing his panorama in London’s Egyptian Hall. In just 20 months, over 600,000 people, including Queen Victoria, came to see his work.
Banvard’s success allowed him to amass an enormous fortune, and he returned to America a wealthy man. He purchased 60 acres on Long Island and began constructing Glenada, a grand replica of Windsor Castle, named after his daughter Ada. The estate became known locally as “Banvard’s Folly,” a symbol of his wealth and eccentricity.
The Fall: From Riches to Ruin
Despite his success, Banvard’s fortunes took a turn for the worse. His ambitious plans to compete with P.T. Barnum, the era’s most famous showman, led him to open a colossal museum in Manhattan. However, Banvard’s lack of business acumen proved to be his downfall. He issued worthless share certificates to pay contractors, a move that destroyed his reputation and left him financially ruined.
Banvard tried to recover by reopening his museum as an opera house and investing in other ventures, but nothing succeeded. His wealth rapidly dwindled, and he was eventually forced into poverty. Banvard moved to Watertown, South Dakota, where he lived in his son’s home, struggling to make ends meet.
The Legacy of a Forgotten Artist
John Banvard died penniless in 1891, a stark contrast to the immense wealth he once held. His grand panoramas, once celebrated around the world, were lost—some destroyed, others repurposed or forgotten. Today, only a few small panels remain in obscure American galleries, relics of a once-great artist who had captured the world’s imagination.
Banvard’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of fame and fortune. His innovative spirit and artistic genius brought him unparalleled success, but his inability to adapt to the changing tides of fortune led to his tragic end.
