"In essays by Diane P. Fischer, Linda J. Docherty, Robert W. Rydell, Gabriel P. Weisberg, and Gail Stavitsky, Paris 1900 examines the campaign sponsored by the U.S. Department of State proving the existence of a distinct "American school" of art and refuting earlier French criticism that American art was primarily a reflection of French art. At this exposition, the McKinley administration's crusade emphasized paintings that exuded "American character," such as images of virile men, wholesome women, pristine landscapes, and technologically superior cities. Paintings by still-powerful American expatriates were also included: Exhibiting only native themes would have smacked of a provincialism inconsistent with the new outward-looking agenda of American foreign policy."--BOOK JACKET. "Featuring more than 140 color and black-and-white illustrations, Paris 1900 is the companion volume to a major exhibition of over 80 paintings, sculptures, and decorative art objects at The Montclair Art Museum, which will travel later to museums in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Columbus, Ohio; Madison, Wisconsin; and Paris, France."