All photos copyright © Eric Francis. All rights reserved.


John Trumball's Declaration of Independence (1817); depicting the presentation of the draft of the United States Declaration of Independence to Congress. Many of the figures shown were life models for the painter. Trumbull’s work shows 42 of the 56 singers, and five figures in the painting who did not sign the Declaration. The majority of the painting is depicted on the back of the two-dollar bill.

July 4, 2008