John Trumbull

Trumbull, John

 

Born June 6, 1756, in Lebanon, Conn.; died Nov. 10, 1843, in New York City. American painter. Pupil of B. West in London.

Trumbull was one of G. Washington’s aides-de-camp during the American Revolution (1775–83). From 1794 to 1804 and from 1808 to 1815 he lived in London. From 1817 to 1836 he headed the American Academy of Fine Arts in New York. Trumbull painted small, accurate portraits of personalities in the struggle for independence (R. Izard, 1793, Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven). His works also include patriotic historical paintings devoted to contemporary themes. Traditional academic composition and theatrical movement were combined in Trumbull’s historical paintings with a sense of heartfelt enthusiasm and with realistic depiction of figures (Battle of Bunker’s Hill, The Declaration of Independence, both 1786–94, Yale University Art Gallery).

REFERENCE

Sizer, T. The Works of Colonel John Trumbull, Artist of the American Revolution. New Haven, 1950.