Professor Gorman's Art History Lesson (Part 3 of 3)

Hey there folks,

This will be the last little lesson into the art history of the Capitol Rotunda and the works of John Trumbull today. Today we tackle a really interesting painting: George Washington Resigning His Military Commission.

For starters, Congress commissioned Trumbull to paint this scene about eighteen years after the event actually took place and reports were relatively sketchy as to what went on and who was actually there. Washington had just recently died so Trumbull really had no idea what the scene even looked like. Therefore, he improvised. Look below, you won't see too many famous faces. That's because Trumbull just painted random people. Most of them don't have any historical relevance and are simply put there to fill the space. One person who you may recognize is Thomas Jefferson. There is no proof that he was there for this. But as you remember from a few posts past, Trumbull and him became fast friends. Maybe Trumbull was looking to influence history slightly?

Speaking of filler, Trumbull ran into a similar problem while painting the spectators. Washington didn't have much of a family and again, a long time had passed. This is where he got creative. Look closely at the people around Washington. First look at the women off Washington's shoulder. These are Washington's step-daughter and step-grandaughter Eleanor and Martha. Trumbull--again needing bodies--decided to duplicate them throughout the scene through different ages and placements. Let me put into perspective:

Trumbull simply duplicated them around the painting, namely as little children and as ladies watching from the balcony.

Next, how many George Washington's are there in this painting? Seem obvious? It actually isn't. There's really 6 depictions of him. When it came to the men surrounding Washington, Trumbull had pretty simple inspiration. He portrayed Washington throughout the stages of his life. Take a look:

Red: we have Washington normally depicted on the day.

Purple: Washington, slightly younger, as a general of the Continental Army

Green: A noticeably younger and red-headed Washington as a Colonel during the French and Indian War

Yellow: An extremely young Washington, probably a depiction of what he would look like when he enlisted in the British Army

Orange: Washington the father, a depiction of an older Washington, in civilian clothes

Blue: Washington as chief magistrate, in the black robe and thought to be a type of elder statesman

Now by this time, Trumbull had become quite well-known for his works: The Signing of the Declaration of Independence et al. However, Congress also got wise to Trumbull's mini self-portraits within his work. Therefore, they gave him an ultimatum: either omit depicting himself into the painting or lose his contract with the government. This gave Trumbull a little dilemma. Should he paint himself in and risk losing the contract or acquiesce and risk losing credit.

So what did Trumbull do? He painted himself in, but with a catch...Can you spot him??

Trumbull dressed in drag! Here he is, fourth from the edge in the balcony next to Martha

Washington, disguised as a woman. Surprisingly, the Congress never found out until much later.

Well, that about does it for the semester. I hoped you enjoyed learning this useless knowledge as much as I have enjoyed dispensing it. Next time you hear from me, I'll tell you a little about my birthday celebration and some Stonehill happenings.

Class dismissed!