Gift of Ann and Jim Goodnight
Despite the painting’s title, British General Charles Cornwallis was not actually present at the surrender. His deputy, Charles O’Hara, surrendered in his place. American General George Washington recognized this as a sign of disrespect. Washington had his own second-in-command, Benjamin Lincoln, accept the surrender. Benjamin Lincoln is depicted on horseback in the center of the painting. Washington is depicted on horseback in the background.
John Trumbull volunteered as a soldier for the Continental Army. He served in the early months of the Revolutionary War. Trumbull later became a well-known painter of the Revolution and of America’s founding.
Trumbull’s style was inspired by European history painting. He painted scenes of key events that focused on the drama and heroism of the moment. The scenes he painted were not meant to be accurate, but they have influenced the way Americans view and remember the country’s history.
The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown is one of 12 large paintings by Trumbull that depict events from the American Revolution. Thomas Jefferson supported Trumbull’s project. After Trumbull completed the large version of this painting, he gave this smaller version to Jefferson as a gift. The larger version of this painting now hangs in the central rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
tags: Revolutionary War, artist’s process
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