1756 -1843 · American Revolution, London and Capitol

Battles, surrenders and civic gestures made John Trumbull the main visual builder of the memory of the American Revolution.

John Trumbull was born in 1756 in Lebanon, Connecticut, the son of Governor Jonathan Trumbull. A graduate of Harvard, he served briefly in the Continental Army as an aide-de-camp and map designer, meeting the main actors of the Revolution. His military experience nourished a lasting project: representing the founding episodes of the young nation. In London, he studied with Benjamin West and learned to give recent history the gravity of Antiquity. The Death of General Warren at Bunker Hill and the Death of General Mercer at Princeton condensed the fight around a fallen hero. The Death of General Warren at Bunker Hill and the Death of General Mercer at Princeton condensed the fight around a fallen hero. The Death of General Warren at Bunker Hill and the Death of General Mercer at Princeton condensed the fight around a fallen hero. The Declaration of Independence organized portraits of the signatories in a scene civic, while General Burgoyne's Surrender renounces spectacular humiliation to emphasize military order. Trumbull painted numerous small versions before receiving from Congress the order for four large canvases for the Capitol rotunda. He also produced portraits and European scenes such as The Exit from Gibraltar. In 1832, he sold a major ensemble to Yale in exchange for an annuity, contributing to the creation of a lasting gallery. Died in 1843, he left a major ensemble to Yale in exchange for an annuity, contributing to the creation of a lasting gallery. Died in 1843, he left the most reproduced images of American independence to Yale in exchange for an income, contributing to the creation of a lasting gallery. Died in 1843, he left the most reproduced images of American independence to Yale in exchange for an income, contributing to the creation of a lasting gallery. Died in 1843, he left the most reproduced images of American independence. Died in 1843, he left the most reproduced images of American independence. Died in 1843, he left the most reproduced images of American independence. Died in 184 Hill. His reading favors color.

Trumbull paints the Revolution as a witness who became a director: the portraits guarantee memory, the composition gives it a national form.