General George Washington at Trenton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids General George Washington at Trenton |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Artist | John Trumbull |
| Year | 1792 |
| Medium | oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 235 cm × 160 cm (92 1/2 in × 63 in) |
| Location | Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Connecticut |
General George Washington at Trenton is a famous large painting. It was created in 1792 by the American artist John Trumbull. The painting shows General George Washington in Trenton, New Jersey. This scene takes place on the night of January 2, 1777. This was during the American Revolutionary War. It was the night after the Battle of the Assunpink Creek. This battle is also known as the Second Battle of Trenton. The painting shows Washington just before his big win at the Battle of Princeton the next day.
John Trumbull thought this painting was his best work. You can see it at the Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven, Connecticut. It was given to the gallery in 1806. The city of Charleston, South Carolina, first asked for this painting. But they did not like it, so Trumbull painted a different version for them.
| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Why the Painting Was Made
The city of Charleston, South Carolina, asked for this painting in 1792. They wanted to remember President Washington's visit there. He had visited Charleston in May 1791. John Trumbull had also visited Charleston earlier. He went in February 1791 to paint pictures of local leaders.
William Loughton Smith was a representative from South Carolina. He asked Trumbull to paint Washington for Charleston. Trumbull was very excited about the project. He wanted to show Washington at a very important moment. This was "the evening previous to the battle of Princeton."
What the Painting Shows
General George Washington is shown in his full military uniform. He wears a blue coat over a light brown (buff) vest and pants. In his right hand, he holds a spyglass. This is a small telescope used for looking far away. In his left hand, he holds a sword.
Behind Washington is his horse, Blueskin. Blueskin is a lively, light-colored horse. A groom is holding the horse to keep it calm. Further back in the painting, you can see a bridge. This bridge crosses the Assunpink Creek. There is also a mill nearby. You can also see cannons and campfires in the distance.
The Charleston Version
The city of Charleston did not like the first painting. So, Trumbull painted a similar but different version for them. This new painting is called Washington at the City of Charleston.
This version shows Washington in Charleston. The city is in the background. The Cooper River and boats are in the middle. Local plants are in the front. In this painting, Washington looks "calm, tranquil, peaceful." This is how Smith wanted him to look. Washington wears gloves on both hands. He holds a hat in his left hand, which rests on his sword. He holds a walking stick with his right hand. This painting is now in the Charleston City Hall.
Other Paintings and Prints
Trumbull also painted a much smaller version of the original. It is called George Washington before the Battle of Trenton. He painted it around 1792–94. This smaller painting is similar to the first one. But it has some changes in the background. Washington's horse is also a different color (bay). This painting was given to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1922. You can see it there today.
In 1794, Trumbull went to London. He made a small copy of this portrait there. He then oversaw its engraving by Thomas Cheesman. An engraving is a print made from a carved plate. This print was called George Washington and was made in 1796. Many other prints were later made based on Cheesman's engraving.
Gallery
-
George Washington before the Battle of Trenton, by John Trumbull, c. 1792–94
-
George Washington, engraving by Thomas Cheesman, 1796
-
Gen. Washington, on the battle field at Trenton, engraving by William Warner Jr., 1845
-
George Washington - On the Great Occasion of our Presidential Election, engraved by Illman & Sons, 1858
-
General Washington at the Bridge Over the Assunpink Creek, published by William S. Stryker, 1898
-
Washington on the Eve of the Battle of Princeton, photo by Detroit Publishing Co., 1912
Legacy and Stamps
The U.S. Post Office has used parts of this painting on several postage stamps. The first stamp was issued in 1860. It had a value of ninety cents. This stamp was updated and reissued in 1861.
In 1931, a two-cent stamp for the Battle of Yorktown included this portrait. Another stamp with a six-cent value was part of the Washington Bicentennial stamps of 1932. Finally, a one-cent stamp was issued in 1936. This was part of the Army and Navy Commemorative Series.
-
90¢ Issue of 1860 -
90¢ Issue of 1861 -
2¢ Issue of 1931 -
6¢ Issue of 1932 -
1¢ Issue of 1936
On February 21, 1915, The New York Times showed a full-page image of the painting. It was in their Picture section. This was the first time it was printed using a special method called Rotogravure. The caption said, "General Washington, painted from life by his staff officer and friend, Col. John Trumbull."
