Monday, July 4, 2011

Independence Day

This is a detail from John Trumbull's 1832 painting of Independence Day, one of eight historical scenes about the American Revolution painted by Trumbull.  Four of the paintings in the series are in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building in Washington.

Trumbull painted copies of the five scenes late in his life but ill health prevented him from completing the series.  The five completed paintings were purchased after Trumbull's death by Hartford merchant Daniel Wadsworth as a gift for the new museum he had just built in Hartford, the Wadsworth Atheneum.

Happy Independence Day to the USA viewers.

20 comments:

VP said...

Great painting of a historical moment. Happy 4th of July!

Kate said...

A sense of history...great choice for today!

SRQ said...

Beautiful painting. Let freedom ring! Have a nice 4th of July.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Such a solemn occasion captured in oil. Happy 4th of July Jack, hope you had a great day.

Birdman said...

Thanks so much for the history on the painting.

Birdman said...

Thanks so much for the history on the painting.

Sylvia K said...

Great paintings and a great post for the day, Jack! Thanks for the history! Hope you have a great holiday! Celebrate and enjoy!

Sylvia

Shannon said...

Very cool Jack. I hope you have a fun 4th and stay safe from the whackos.

Michelle said...

Great painting depicting such an historic event. A happy 4th to you Jack!

Leslie D. said...

Hey neat. i think I remember writing about this photograph for a 6th grade book report. They would hve been interesting dinner guests

Malyss said...

Very beautyful and interesting painting. Painters were the bloggers of the time!:)
Happy July 4th!

Karl said...

Really a great painting, have a happy 4th of July, Jack.

RedPat said...

Happy 4th! A perfect post for the day.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Yes, I know you are away and I hope that you enjoy the fireworks. Tomorrow you can return to real work... blogging, golf, reading, photography, etc... Hehehe, enjoy the day!

Bises,
Genie

cieldequimper said...

Happy day!

Leif Hagen said...

Happy Independence Day! Where you there when they signed the "Declaration of Independence," Jack?!"
Happy 4th of July!

Regina K said...

A great event. Happy Independence Day!

Virginia said...

Oh we've a common ground here Jack. Trumbull's work was here at out Birmingham Museum of Art last year. I was privileged to be a guide for this exhibit!
V

Cezar and Léia said...

Wonderful day!
Léia

Lowell said...

Well done, Jack! Hope you had a good day.