John Trumbull stands as a pivotal figure in American art history, renowned for his captivating portraits and grand historical paintings that immortalized the leaders and landmark events of the American Revolution. Born in Lebanon, Connecticut in 1756, Trumbull’s journey began with a Harvard College education, graduating in 1773, before actively participating in the revolution’s early stages with the Connecticut First Regiment. His formal painting career commenced in 1777, marking the beginning of a legacy that would visually define a nation’s formative years.
In 1780, John Trumbull embarked on a transformative trip to England to study under the esteemed Benjamin West, a period that significantly shaped his artistic trajectory, albeit briefly. He returned in 1784 for a more extended period of study, a crucial era spanning from 1784 to 1794 that witnessed the creation of his most celebrated works. Driven by a profound ambition to chronicle his nation’s narrative, Trumbull articulated his vision in a March 1785 letter to his father, Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., expressing his “great object” to “take up the History of Our Country, and paint the principal Events particularly of the late War.” This ambition, fueled by the artistic influence of West and John Singleton Copley, culminated in his first historical masterpiece, The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker’s Hill, completed in March 1786.
During a visit to Thomas Jefferson in Paris in July of the same year, John Trumbull commenced work on another iconic piece, The Declaration of Independence. His time in Paris also exposed him to private art collections and influential figures like Jacques-Louis David and Jean-Antoine Houdon. Further enriching his artistic perspective, Trumbull journeyed through Germany and the Low Countries before his return to London, absorbing diverse European artistic styles.
Returning to the United States in the fall of 1789, John Trumbull dedicated the subsequent four years to traversing the East Coast, diligently painting portraits that would serve as crucial studies for his larger history paintings. His smaller oil portraits and preparatory sketches, alongside his striking life portraits, particularly the full-length works of the 1790s, showcased the profound impact of West and his growing appreciation for French painting techniques. His close relationships with influential political figures such as Jefferson and John Adams undoubtedly provided him with unique access and insights, further enriching his artistic endeavors.
The year 1794 marked a turning point in John Trumbull’s life. Following the passing of his cousin, Harriet Wadsworth, he accepted John Jay’s offer to serve as secretary for the Jay Treaty Commission in London. He resumed his painting career in England in 1800, the same year he married Sarah Hope Harvey. Upon returning to the United States in 1804, initially planning to settle in Boston, Trumbull rerouted to New York upon learning of Gilbert Stuart’s impending move to Boston. Recognizing the limitations of a single city for two prominent artists, he chose New York, believing that “Boston…did by no means offer an adequate field of success for two rival artists.” His portraits from this period significantly influenced younger American artists. He was honored with a position on the board of directors of the New York Academy of the Fine Arts, later renamed the American Academy of the Fine Arts.
However, the economic downturn caused by the Embargo Act of 1807 curtailed his burgeoning success. In 1808, John Trumbull departed for Connecticut, followed by a sketching expedition through New York State and eastern Canada. Having lost sight in one eye due to a childhood accident, he returned to England with his wife in 1809 seeking treatment for his deteriorating eyesight. Interestingly, some contemporaries attributed his remarkable skill in smaller-scale paintings to this very visual impairment.
After the War of 1812, John Trumbull and his wife returned to America. In 1817, a significant commission arrived: four large history paintings for the Capitol rotunda in Washington D.C. That same year, he was elected President of the American Academy of the Fine Arts, where his traditional and strict leadership in the 1820s represented a more conservative artistic faction. He completed the Capitol commissions in 1824. When further federal commissions did not materialize, John Trumbull returned to portraiture to sustain himself financially.
Facing financial hardships, he made a remarkable offer to Yale College, proposing to donate his extensive painting collection in exchange for an annuity. Yale accepted, and the Trumbull Gallery, one of the nation’s first art museums associated with a university, opened in 1832. In 1836, after retiring from his academy presidency, he penned his autobiography, reflecting on his extensive and impactful career. John Trumbull died in New York in 1843 at the age of eighty-seven, leaving behind a powerful artistic legacy that continues to shape our understanding of the American Revolution and early American art. His works remain invaluable historical documents and testaments to his artistic talent and dedication to capturing the spirit of a nascent nation.
