Inside Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney’s Long Island Art Studio

Artist and socialite Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, who founded the Whitney Museum of American Art, had homes in New York, Paris, the Adirondacks, and Long Island. In 1912, she commissioned the Gilded Age architect William Adams Delano, of Delano & Aldrich, to build her a neoclassical studio on the grounds of the Whitney estate in Old Westbury.
After her death in 1942, the villa lay empty for 40 years until her granddaughter Pamela LeBoutillier decided to renovate it as a home for her family. Today, her son John LeBoutillier lives there, while keeping the family legacy alive.

[@AlexandraJane21]

Ugh, how absolutely beautiful. My favorite parts were the murals and my goodness that entire bathroom!!! What a dream.

[@debzeb6899]

Red Bear Nita oh the bathroom! Divine!

[@rob-robi]

And yet the original murals were literally removed, then repainted. Quite an endevour

[@Jillthinkstwice]

@@rob-robi I get they gifted it to the great-granddaughter but I really don't understand why they couldn't leave it like it was...it is a pity. Even if it's been replaced beautifully! Why couldn't she just get it painted in her house ;)

[@rob-robi]

@@Jillthinkstwice , mood swings probably. Someone likely walked in one day and thought it should be 'cleaned up' lol, like walking into the Sistine chapel and saying that right ? Then some time went by and others finally woke up and said 'oh my, what have we done ?' Then paid lots to bring it back , oy .

[@TheBombson]

spooky surname tho, but at least his art collection is not the likes of Podesta's

[@michaelvegas107]

Spectacular story! These videos are far too short.

[@LibbyRal]

It was a great introduction, so now I'm searching for more articles and photos.

[@lemorab1]

Thank you for making this video and for posting it! John LeBoutillier is a wonderful narrator. Oh, to time travel back to a party there in the 1920's! I had no idea that GVW was an artist and have never seen her work, that I am aware of. As for the villa being empty for 40 years, who lived in the main house? I take it the property was split in two, in order to sell off the mansion, but keep the villa in the family. Anyway, I'm glad they saved it while expanding and renovating it and are sharing it with us. I wonder how GVW is related to Gloria Vanderbilt.

[@justsomestuff4971]

I don’t get why everyone’s complaining about this being so posh. Like yeah, of course it’s going to be, and most of the homes and people featured especially historic ones are going to feel out of touch. It’s about the people who lived these lives, not about the politics and economics of the time of which they lived.

[@Elfinboots87]

Just some Stuff nobody s complaining. Have you read the comments?

[@refillcans707]

So much wealth is derived from exploitation of labor, and many, many people at various levels of society, feel that exploitation in their own lives, whether consciously or not, mostly through strains on their personal relationship to money, whereby they intrinsically recognize that something "so posh" symbolizes the burdens they experience in their own lives, and because they aren't often empowered or motivated to affect meaningful social change through direct political action, they gripe.

[@celsius7972]

@@refillcans707 Inheritance is the biggest socialist welfare state in history. Pull your self up by you boot straps? Which Pair?

[@refillcans707]

Celsius Money comes to those who broaden inputs and organize efficiencies, or accentuate systemic trappings. Inheritance stabilizes the status quo. The rich and powerful all diversify their investments to minimize risk; they create solidarity by being invested in each other; however, complicity trickles down... from retirement investment accounts, to putting gas in your car, to purchasing single use waste laden products. The proletariat collectively maintains the system through consumerism and competition within the confines of regulated scarcity

[@owenbeharry8478]

exactly

[@CindymeCindy]

I can't believe they sold the murals but I'm guessing the price was astronomical.

[@CurlAlways]

Cindy Crazy I know! But also, I think that it’s better to have the original protected and valued as classic work out in the art market or on display in a museum, rather than someone coming in an taking it down cause they don’t like the look in 50years! It might also be better preserved off the wall too.

[@richardwilson1234]

@@CurlAlways How do they take the murals off the walls without damaging them? I'm fascinated.

[@FacheChanteDeux]

So wonderful to see an important historical home (mostly) preserved in it's original state. So lovely.

[@wynnhartley]

The Cushing mural, even a replica , is wonderful. I’d love to live there

[@MUVAMILK]

im obsessed omg the murals and the bathroom are so stunning

[@lisastallingskeelor3328]

Where do I start? The peach sofa...be still my heart. The painting above the fireplace.....just a scrumptious piece. The history, the art, the hand painted murals, id love to visit this home one day.

[@moladhdodhia1580]

I would pay to visit this home, like people do at Graceland...that bathtub is better than Oprah's $10,000 bathtub.

[@eleanorryanryan2442]

What a tallinted, gifted woman, strong intelligent, I'm sure she would be proud to see the house looking so beautiful today, greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@quasehelio]

I just want to say that Wendy Goodman is so singular. The way the she writes and articulates. The way the she produces and tell us the story. How lucky we are for having you. ♥️

[@njhawk89]

What an amazing, wonderful video! For a look into Gertrude's incredible life story, see the book 'Fortune's Children: The Fall of the House of Vanderbilt."

[@E-Kat]

3:24 these walls are so inspirational! Love the colouring.

[@denisethrondsen3399]

Really beautiful and so interesting! The wall murals are gorgeous. How awesome to be lucky enough to be part of this legacy! 🌺🌺🌺

[@beautysurroundings5055]

So touching to hear this man talking about his family legacy! He is very proud of them. He has been privileged and I am happy to know there are people that living like that so round of art and beauty!!

[@shirelymitchell4793]

Beautiful, love the history of the Vanderbilt and the Whitneys.

[@glendaleesutardy1072]

This presenter is wonderful, all of her guests are under no pressure, it's about them not her and each is relaxed and totally themselves. She has chosen a range of gorgeous people and I just love her!

[@captnagrom8178]

I truly hope the studio stays in the hands of the family and is never altered. It is beautiful .

[@deannavp2253]

This place is like a masterpiece! It’s all so beautifully decorated!

[@brendadrew834]

Fantastic! This former retired NYC fashion illustrator/graphic designer/fine artist is blown away by this! What a great studio/home! Thanks so much for sharing...will always remember this! BTW, studied at the Traphagen School of Fashion which was established in 1928, the oldest fashion/art/interior design school in NYC prior to the Fashion Institute of Technology and also studied at Parsons School of Design at New School University formerly the New School for Social Research! Loved this!

[@manita2653]

Brenda, was curious about who you are...looked up your webpage...Love your work!....thank you!!!

[@fabianfarbeyond558]

To be borne a Vanderbilt...how Fabulous! And to be talented, that kind of talent you can’t buy. Her works reflects it.

[@arliepics4364]

how very true...

[@KarenSmith-ns8di]

Don't mean to sound cheesy, but that space is breathtakingly beautiful.

[@josephhapp9]

🌺🌺🌺 best video yet. More please. Love these glimpses of great homes with great style.

[@jeannietoppi5574]

Thank you for sharing....this is just wonderful!

[@ES_Glenn]

Beautiful space. Great to see the classic styling work even in a modern context. Timeless.

[@diordebz]

one of the most beautiful homes i've ever seen. the fact that it retains a homey cozy feeling and still has that historic vibe is astounding to me. i really would love to live here for a month in the summer.

[@diordebz]

lol, never mind. just checked and he's a republican. still a very beautiful home though.

[@thevintagekitty]

absolutely awesome! Loved the cat at the end.

[@SevenDaysofStyleNY]

What a lovely video Wendy, thank you!

[@valvacious2793]

Fabulous! especially the Asian Murals on the staircase walls.

[@magsli]

Beautifully elegant! More!

[@user-us6ce7me8k]

So classy and elegant!

[@jenh9361]

FABULOUS... Love the kitty!

[@patrickbell4314]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Thanks.

[@arlinejernigan]

I wish we could have seen more of the house..

[@allenbell3734]

The cat 🐈 was the best. Beautiful.

[@Appolonia1964]

Love this beautiful home 💗💗💗 Awesome murals 🤩 This was such a joy to watch, thank you!!

[@MiiPaintings]

Omg, wooow. What an amaaazing house. And amaaazing people who renovated it and kept the soul of the house. Thank you for this video. Greetings from artist from the Czech republic

[@harxmoond]

Loved the house. Loved the narrator. You can tell a lot of love went into making this a home and keeping it authentic.

[@budjitresvalles6397]

Oh!! Its so lovely to know the history of a storied place. 😃

[@E-Kat]

4:10, I love this so much! Need to start on my own murals !

[@ernarc23]

I wish they'd shown the portrait behind him at close range. It's beautiful.

[@usheilan8713]

Wow those murals are so wonderful. thanks for the video.

[@jumbajambaddada191]

Just a quick reminder: John was convicted of election fraud thanks to accepting a $200K donation-from his mother-for his reelection campaign (which he lost). He originally became famous for "raising" $225K from his dorm room at Harvard for a republican senator in South Dakota. In hindsight, we can see how these "achievements" can be held in question and how inheritance and wealth carve a deep cut into our idea of a fair and equal democracy. But kudos to Gertrude for supporting the arts.

[@lolagreydottir6429]

Sometimes I get so caught up in the beauty I forget the reality lmao.

[@DJL78]

Jumba Jambaddada WELL SAID!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@PinkwithaP]

Yes, and meanwhile we have been historically and continue to be regularly swindled by the leftists marxists who believe their shit doesn't stink. Chin chin touché 🥂

[@conejitoasesinoOG]

@@vivianramirez8110 it's on Wikipedia. Just Google this name

[@conejitoasesinoOG]

I wish I could thumbs this up 1000 times.

[@RockeyToes]

Lovely cottage! I love the murals, how whimsical and lovely! I adore the Maine Coon kitty cat at the end. How very dear.

[@juanluzzi5267]

What an amazingly beautiful home, full of stories, enough to make a historical love story film out of it. John is such a nice guy, the right person to tell us about Gertrude and this house.

[@markwardel6751]

What a fantastically beautiful place....and those sculptures!!

[@loveyourself5239]

Fabulous. Absolutely. Love. Every. Detail. And. Thank. You. For. The. Education. As. Well. Just. A. Pleasure. To. Watch. Would. Love. To. See. In person the. Beauty. And. Detail. Thank. You. Soooooo. Much

[@mariadej.torresdelatorre1345]

Awesome and historical home, the bathroom so unique. thanks for share.

[@juliancoulden1753]

Wonderful and extraordinary! Thank you!

[@49lucky]

Simply lovely

[@deettekearns9092]

Love these stories!!!

[@sunii9929]

exquisite! Thank you for sharing. Peace & Blessings.

[@AJ-ut7rs]

cosy and lovely home

[@oltedders]

What a fabulous artist!

[@janetpattison8474]

Wow! Love those murals!

[@elahepaaschke4839]

Fantastic I wish that I could see more of the building. So beautiful and interesting.

[@elhombrecosmico]

Amazing! Very refined house and owner

[@ellenraysmith4391]

WOW! Loved this one.(Could we please have more like this? Please?)

[@hotpink000]

That is so gorgeous

[@marysmyth8288]

Absolutely charming and wonderful story embedded in History , love ❤️ it Mary Canada 🇨🇦

[@judypratt2868]

Well done!

[@dirk2655]

Wonderful and a lovely place.

[@Alex.smiffy]

Gorgeous!

[@petsplantshome]

oh that bathroom, beautiful!

[@helloschoales]

The walls alone are just stunning

[@carolking6355]

Truly lovely.

[@havakanable]

I love those paintings oh the walls 😭😭😭😭🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@marquamfurniture]

What a coup! This is absolutely wonderful.

[@gideonros2705]

Would love to see those lovely murals. Beutiful home.

[@ericowensnyc]

Such a sweet story and lovely home. 👍🏽

[@Zincink]

I'm not so sure about his no women in art comment when Moore College of Art was in existence in 1848. I guess he means professional exposure. I like the fact that the bathroom was kept as is and most of the space hasn't been updated. The stories were so enjoyable and I'm so glad he shared his memories. I love the storm windows? in the basement area. I wonder what the garden looked like back then.. Thanks for sharing.

[@mrsrandommademedoit3387]

what a house! so cool.

[@lawrencejosephjenzen]

OH MY GOODNESS I WOULD LOVE TO COME AND VISIT THIS GREAT HOME. I LOVE GERTUDE VANDERBILT WHITNEY'S SCUPTURES THEY ARE AWESOME. CAN I COME OUT AND HAVE A TOUR OF THIS GREAT HOME? LOVE THE HOME THE GROUNDS ARE GORGEOUS. I WISH I CAN COME OUT AND TAKE PICTURES OF THIS.

[@craigparham7992]

Beautiful - MORE please !

[@imeganck]

Beautiful space ❣️

[@dear_darling]

BEYOND THE BEYOND!!! LOVE

[@designnerd21]

fantastic !!!!!!!

[@castanonw]

Incredible

[@toddhupp]

very cool .really interesting story.

[@johnfletcher9410]

A truly fine lady who did a great deal to promote art in America.

[@eduardoramirezjr4403]

Class all the way...

[@haendel8a]

so romantic that both lovers sculpted and painted each other. But I wish they would keep both pieces together facing each other

[@moladhdodhia1580]

I really enjoyed this 5:02 video,wish I was born into this family 😊

[@maryalice8866]

It's a beautiful grand home, John. How about having an open house or gatden party, only Facebook friends, we'll bring gifts/food.

[@North49191]

3 bean casserole maybe, get real

[@Omgodspeed]

so fun 😊

[@Jen-ld3vz]

magnificent

[@lemonhead1256]

i lived right near here and it’s like an entire different world from the long island i know

[@TheNeverposts]

that really is very nice

[@Snail_Nailz]

Oh my god this is my heaven...

[@dupioni]

Such a great video Wendy!....and such a wonderful space!

[@Followlostonline]

I bet guests feel super comfortable staying here.........

[@libbybreen5265]

She was quite an artist.

[@Nicole-ll3sb]

Does anyone know the name of the painting of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney's daughter? I'm trying to find an image of it somewhere

[@madnessintomagic]

Wow.. that bathroom

[@th3azscorpio]

A small note- I love the music they use during these segments. I especially the theme playing during this part- 2:57. Would anyone happen to know what the name of this song?

[@mishabear703]

love this, absolutely gorgeous... reflection of the time

[@Marlon-sw4nw]

I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT

[@glaucimantovani7366]

Welcome to Brazil

[@lecaprice2572]

The statues from the WW I era look fascinating

[@rob-robi]

Curious to see where the wall murals were removed to , and how.

[@Kaastenn]

What is the end music? It’s beautiful