The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker's Hill, June 17, 1775 (Sketch)

This dramatic sketch captures one of the American Revolution's most mythologized moments: the death of Dr. Joseph Warren at the Battle of Bunker Hill. John Trumbull, who served in the Revolutionary War himself, made it his life's mission to document the conflict's pivotal scenes. Warren, a respected Boston physician and patriot leader, was killed during the British assault on the colonial position, transforming him into an instant martyr for the American cause. The composition places the dying Warren at the center, supported by fellow soldiers as the chaotic battle rages around them.

Trumbull worked on this subject for years, creating this preparatory sketch before painting his massive, more famous version. Notice how he arranges the figures almost like actors on a stage, with dramatic gestures and theatrical poses typical of history painting in the late 18th century. The sketch has an energy and immediacy that sometimes gets lost in more polished final works. While the British technically won the battle, they suffered devastating casualties, and scenes like this helped build the narrative of brave colonists standing against a mighty empire, even in defeat.