painting: Declaration of Independence

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John Trumbull (American, 1756–1843)
The Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776, 1786–1820
Oil on canvas, 20 7/8 x 31 in. (53 x 78.7 cm)
Trumbull Collection
1832.3

The Declaration of Independence was begun in Paris, most probably at the suggestion of Thomas Jefferson, chief author of the document, who provided Trumbull with a first-hand account of the event in the Assembly Room in Independence Hall where Congress had met. Trumbull combined a desire for historical authenticity with a mission to commemorate a moment of transcendent importance. Jefferson stands at the center, surrounded by John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Benjamin Franklin, and presents the document to John Hancock, president of Congress. Trumbull chose to have the whole committee present the document rather than a single spokesman, which would have been historically accurate.