The Artist's Dilemma 1901

Overview

The Artist's Dilemma is a 1901 American silent fantasy trick film directed by Edwin S. Porter. The short film was filmed in New York City, runs for two minutes, and was released in the United States on December 14, 1901. The genres associated with the film are fantasy and comedy. The scene opens in an artist's studio, where the artist is asleep in his chair. A large old fashioned clock opens and a young lady comes out, awakening the artist to request that he paint her picture. While the artist is executing the work, a clown emerges from the clock, takes in the situation, and begins to make love to the lady. The artist detects him and compels him to desist his love making, then continues to paint. The clown becomes interested and asks the artist to allow him to paint the picture, beginning to smear a whitewash brush over the canvas until a most perfect image of the young lady appears.