John Trumbull (1756-1843)
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John Trumbull was an American Neoclassical painter during the time of the American Revolutionary War, known for his portraits and historical war scenes. Born in Connecticut, he was the son of Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumbull. Some of his earliest studies were at Harvard University, where he was enrolled at the age of 15. Trumbull also fought in the Revolutionary War and took part in the Battle of Bunker Hill, and was also an aide to Washington.
After his service in the war was over, like so many other artist of the day, Trumbull traveled to England to study under Benjamin West. During this time, Trumbull also briefly visited Paris and was briefly imprisoned in London for suspected treason. It was West’s influence that led Trumbull to paint small historical accounts of the battle scenes from the war. West also influenced Trumbull to paint miniature portraits, of which there are some 250 known today.
Upon his return to America, Trumbull found very little success as a painter. However, once the Senate commissioned him to create four large scale war paintings, his career took off. These four paintings now hang in the Capitol Building. It is also said that President Thomas Jefferson encouraged Trumbull to continue to paint national history scenes.
As a young boy, Trumbull had been blinded in one eye, and despite failing eyesight, had a fairly long and prosperous career as an artist. Some art historians believe that perhaps the fact that Trumbull did not have full eye sight contributed to his success as a miniaturist painter. He was criticized throughout his career for continually failing talents as a painter, perhaps due to his eyesight, and often used black excessively in his paintings.
Trumbull also held many positions within art colleges and institutions. In 1805, he was appointed the president of the New York Academy of Fine Arts, and was elected vice president in 1808. The following year, Trumbull traveled again to London to seek treatment for his eye problems. He stayed in London until 1815, and during this time his paintings became very religious. Trumbull painted many large scale paintings with religious themes which were not very well-received by the British.
In 1815, Trumbull returned to America and was appointed the President of the American Academy of Arts; a position he held for 19 years. While he was the president, he exhibited some of his religious works with the Academy. However, it was said that he did not get along well with the students, and he began to lose his skill for painting. His students eventually rebelled against him and thus, founded the National Academy of Design.
Trumbull died in New York City at the age of 88, and is buried beneath the Yale University Art Gallery. Part of the inscription on his tomb reads “To his country he gave his sword, and his pencil.” Besides his massive oeuvre of portraits, religious paintings and historical war scenes, Trumbull also penned an autobiography in 1841.
Today, his work is housed all over New England in private collections and many in government buildings.
Still wondering about an American Revolution-era painting hanging in your family’s home? Contact us…it could be by John Trumbull.