Art, Ambition & the Gilded Age: The Miniature Painter Revealed with Kathleen Langone

What can a miniature portrait painter teach us about fame, fortune, and forgotten women of the Gilded Age?

In this episode I welcome historian and author Kathleen Langone to explore the fascinating life and career of Amalia Kussner — one of the Gilded Age’s most sought-after portrait artists. Drawing from her new book, The Miniature Painter Revealed: Amalia Kussner's Gilded Age Pursuit of Fame and Fortune, Langone discusses Kussner’s remarkable rise, her elite clientele (including American and European royalty), and her lasting impact on art and society.

The conversation also dives into how The Gilded Age HBO series overlaps with Kussner’s world, the challenges of writing about a lesser-known historical figure, and the overlooked contributions of women artists during this glamorous and turbulent period in American history. Be sure to check out Langone's podcast, People Hidden in History and check out her website.