John Trumbull

1756 – 1843 • 5 artworks

John Trumbull was an American painter best known for recording the events of the American Revolution. Born in Connecticut in 1756, he served as a soldier in the war before dedicating himself to painting its great moments. He set out to preserve the faces and scenes of the young nation's founding, producing history paintings that shaped how Americans picture their own origins.

His painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is among the most familiar images in American history and even appears on currency. He painted many portraits of the leading figures of his day from life. Though his later career had its struggles, Trumbull's vivid records of the Revolution earned him a lasting place as a founding artist of the United States.

The Death of General Montgomery in the Attack on Quebec, December 31, 1775
The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker's Hill, June 17, 1775
The Sortie Made by the Garrison of Gibraltar
The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker's Hill, June 17, 1775 (Sketch)
Declaration of Independence