Autographs
American Artist John Trumbull "The Painter of the Revolution" Autograph Letter Signed to His Niece
JOHN TRUMBULL (1756-1843). American Artist and Soldier, with the encouragement Thomas Jefferson, Trumbull began his life-long preoccupation with capturing romanticized visions of the American Revolution on canvas. In 1817, the US Congress commissioned Trumbull to paint four large pictures for the rotunda of the Capitol that remain on display today. He has been called "The Painter of the Revolution".
November 13, 1840-Dated, Autograph Letter boldly Signed, "Jno. Trumbull", 1 page, 7.5" x 9.75" with additional Integral Postal Cover page with "PAID" and circular date stamped in red "NEW YORK - NOV 14", Choice Extremely Fine. Some wear to the outer Postal Transmittal Cover and torn on that otherwise blank page at the wax seal when opened. This Letter from Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumbull's younger brother, the noted famous American Revolutionary War Era Artist John Trumbull (1756-1843), a.k.a. "The Painter of the Revolution" and Revolutionary War Aide to General George Washington, addressed to his niece, Abigail Trumbull Lanman, in Norwich, Connecticut. This rare personal family letter by John Trumbull reads, in full:
"New York - 13 Novb. Friday 1840 --- Dear Abby -- I fulfil my promise - we had a boisterous passage & I arrived here sick - lump to my old zarritis, & sent for Dr. Washington - I have kept house & obeyed the Dr. sweated today the weather is nice, & I shall go out. - I have seen your sister - David & Mr. Bull - all week -- I hope to accomplish some of my purchases today. & to be able soon to return to New Haven (Connecticut). -- Forever, & be assured of the Affection of your Uncle - (Signed) Jno. Trumbull".
Late in life his travels have caused Trumbull to take ill and writes to his niece with some difficulty, penned in deep brown ink on clean off-white period wove paper. Trumbull's mention of: "I hope to accomplish some of my purchases today. & to be able soon to return to New Haven (Connecticut)." Likely are in reference to finishing his Paintings purchased and some possibly being delivered to Yale University, which today houses an outstanding major collection of John Trumbull's original Artworks in the Yale University Museum.
Together with a printed notice for Commemorative Stamps featuring his famous artwork with 1958 postmarked transmittal envelope. Note: Trumbull's Painting of the Declaration of Independence (1817), is one of his four of his paintings which hang in the United States Capitol Rotunda, and is used on the reverse of the current United States Two-Dollar bill.
John Trumbull was an American artist whose paintings depicting important events of the American Revolution became some of the most famous in the world. Born in Lebanon, Connecticut, in 1756, John Trumbull was the son of Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumbull and graduated from Harvard College in 1773.
As a Patriot soldier in the American Revolutionary War, Trumbull rendered a particular service at Boston by sketching plans of the British and American lines and works. He personally witnessed the Battle of Bunker Hill.
He was appointed second aide-de-camp to General George Washington, and in June 1776, deputy adjutant-general to General Horatio Gates. He resigned from the Continental army in 1777 after a dispute over the dating of his officer commission.
In 1780, with funds depleted, Trumbull turned to art as a profession. He traveled to London, where upon introduction from Benjamin Franklin, Trumbull studied under Benjamin West. At West's suggestion, John Trumbull painted small pictures of the War of Independence and miniature portraits. He painted about 250 in his lifetime. He also painted a Portrait of George Washington from memory during this time.
On September 23, 1780, British agent Major John Andr was captured by Continental troops in North America; he was hanged as a spy on October 2, 1780. After news reached Great Britain, outrage flared and Trumbull was arrested for high treason, as he was an officer in the Continental Army of similar rank to Andr. He was imprisoned for seven months in London's Tothill Fields Bridewell.
After being released, Trumbull returned to the United States on a voyage that lasted six months, ending in late January 1782. He then joined his brother David in supplying the army stationed at New Windsor, New York during the winter of 1782"83.
In his late 20s, Trumbull moved to London to study alongside painter Benjamin West. Soon after, with the encouragement of West and Thomas Jefferson, Trumbull began his life-long preoccupation with capturing romanticized visions of the American Revolution on canvas. In 1817, the US Congress commissioned Trumbull to paint four large pictures for the rotunda of the Capitol that remain on display today.
Trumbull was appointed president of the American Academy of the Fine Arts in New York City, serving for twenty years, from 1816 to 1836. Emphasizing classical traditions, Trumbull did not get along with the students. At the same time, his painting skills declined. In 1825 many of the students withdrew, founding the National Academy of Design. Unable to accommodate to changing tastes, the American Academy later closed in 1839 after a second fire destroyed its collections.
Trumbull wrote his autobiography, which he published in 1841. He died in New York City at the age of 87 on November 10, 1843.
References See:
Yale University Library. "Guide to the John Trumbull Papers from 1750-1843," 2012. Link.
Connecticut Historical Society. "Guide to the John Trumbull Papers from 1769-1843," 2013.
Yale University Art Gallery - ecatalogue. "John Trumbull - Collection," 2014.
Connecticut Digital Archive. "John Trumbull Collection,"
Books:
Trumbull, John. Autobiography, Reminiscences and Letters of John Trumbull, from 1756 to 1841. New York & London; New Haven: Wiley and Putnam; B.L. Hamlen, 1841.
Weir, John F. John Trumbull a Brief Sketch of His Life, to Which Is Added a Catalogue of His Works. New York, NY: C. Scribner's Sons, 1901.
Jaffe, Irma B. John Trumbull, Patriot-Artist of the American Revolution. Boston, MA: New York Graphic Society, 1975.
Cooper, Helen A., ed. John Trumbull: The Hand and Spirit of a Painter. New Haven, CT: Yale University Art Gallery, 1982.
Sizer, Theodore. The Works of Colonel John Trumbull, Artist of the American Revolution. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1967.