John Trumbull

John Trumbull holds a singular, essential position in American art history, serving as both an eyewitness and the principal visual chronicler of the nation's founding. A veteran military officer who served in the Continental Army, Trumbull leveraged his unique access to the era’s key political and military figures to become known definitively as the "Painter of the Revolution."

Trumbull dedicated his career to monumental historical canvases, creating works that combined portraiture with narrative drama. His compositions were designed to convey the weight and significance of the pivotal moments in the American conflict. He often focused on intimate yet powerful depictions of military leadership, such as his compelling study, George Washington before the Battle of Trenton, or the formal portrait of Thomas Jefferson. Trumbull's output provides an essential visual record of the late 18th century, documenting subjects like Thomas Mifflin with a clarity that elevates his portraiture to fundamental historical artifact. His work is now housed in major institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art.

His most enduring and famous achievement rests within the United States Capitol Rotunda, where four of his large-scale historical paintings reside. The centerpiece of this collection is the massive Declaration of Independence (1817). While the artist took certain historical liberties with the grouping and attendance of some figures for dramatic effect, this painting successfully established the canonical image of the moment the nation was born. This visual interpretation remains so ingrained in the American psyche that it is instantly recognizable today, famously reproduced on the reverse of the current two-dollar bill.

Trumbull’s status as a preeminent early American master ensures that many John Trumbull paintings and preparatory studies are now in the public domain. His revolutionary-era scenes are important reference points for scholars and collectors alike. For those seeking accurate reproductions, downloadable artwork and high-quality prints of these seminal historical works are readily available, ensuring the accessibility of Trumbull's museum-quality interpretation of the American Revolution.