Surrender of Lord Cornwallis

John Trumbull is known as the painter of the American Revolution. He set out to record its key moments and its leaders, and his Declaration of Independence is so familiar that it appears on the two dollar bill. His battle scenes are dramatic and crowded, with the heroes lit in the centre. He was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, served in the Continental Army, and then studied in London under Benjamin West. There he painted The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker’s Hill and Death of General Montgomery in the Attack on Quebec, both small, vivid history pieces. Later he painted four large scenes for the Rotunda of the United States Capitol, where they still hang. He also painted many portraits of the founding generation, including several of Alexander Hamilton. Yale University Art Gallery holds the largest collection of his work.