American Truth
Declaration of Independance 4 July 1776 at Philidelphia
Story Truth by Shreya Ashokkrishan
Happening Truth by Nishtha Prasad
The Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776 at Philadelphia, illustrates the meeting, in which delegates from each of the thirteen colonies had unanimously agreed to secede from the British Empire, in an accurate manner. A total of 56 delegates from the Continental Congress had signed the document therefore giving the artist, Trumbull, reason to paint crowded room. A few of the most prominent delegates present include George Washington. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin—all of whom are seen in the front of the painting standing in a group separate from the remaining delegates—representing their importance. Thomas Jefferson himself had drafted the document, therefore making him a vital figure in the painting. John Hancock had been the first to sign the document, therefore allowing him to be one the select few standing in the front of the painting’s setting. Each of the delegates is portrayed as well dressed, aged, and civilized representing the type of people involved of the signing: the upper elite class who possessed sufficient knowledge about the existing political and economic structures. While the middle classes are not depicted in the painting, it can be assumed the delegates present in the painting are there to represent the sentiments of the American population in its entirety for the fiscal and legislative had affected all. All these historical components are portrayed precisely in the painting.
Identity of the Author by Paddy Pandy
Critique of the Painting by Josephine Sun
The painting, The Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776 at Philadelphia by John Trumbull, 1818 depicts the representatives of the British colonies in America coming together to sign the Declaration of Independence. The exigence of this piece includes events such as the American Revolution, which was led to by various acts imposed on the colonies by the British. The more notable of these Acts include the Stamp Act, Tea Act, and Intolerable Acts. The Boston Massacre also contributed a significant amount of motivation that led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The audience of this piece includes, not necessarily the public, but possibly on a private level as this piece was commissioned to be painted in the year 1817 and was completed in 1818. The general audience would remain in the colonies, or the newly formed, independent America formed from the British Colonies. As was usually common, the people who would buy this painting would also need a substantial amount of money, therefore the audience would be more directed towards the middle to upper classes. However, the painting was later moved into what is now known as the Independence Hall in Philadelphia, thus becoming for a public audience.
The purpose of this painting, like other paintings of notable events, was to depict and glorify an event of much importance to the painter, audience, or a general body of people. In this case, the purpose of this painting was to glorify the independence of their country. This conclusion is supported by the fact that the people in the painting are depicted as proud and standing tall; nobody shows an expression of remorse, but determination. The colors being used are vibrant as the people stand in a room lit by rays of sunlight coming at an angle that suggest that the event is taking place in the morning. This then comes to the conclusion, or the implied feeling, of a new beginning.