Trumbull, John "Declaration of Independence. Of the United States of America July 4th, 1776."

After John Trumbull (1756-1843).  “Declaration of Independence.  Of the United States of America July 4^th, 1776.” 

New York: Leggo Brothers Photo-Engraving, 1876.   20 x 30 (image).  Photo-lithograph (granulated photograph).  Ten inch horizontal tear into image right hand side skillfully repaired with archival tape and skillfully in-painted.  Tear is difficult to seen.  Light water stain in top margin.  Chips in top and bottom margin skillfully filled with matching paper.  Short tears in margins repaired with archival tape.  Else, good condition.  With original 19^th century frame and glass.  Ref: John Bidwell, American History in Image and Text, #42, American Antiquarian Society, 1989.  A/A   

John Trumbull was a participant in the American Revolution and a friend of most of the great figures of his day, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.  After he left the army, Trumbull found his way to the London studio of fellow American Benjamin West.  Inspired by his instructor, Trumbull conceived of a series of canvases on the history of his own country.  He painted scenes of the Battle of Bunker’s Hill, the Death of General Montgomery, and the Declaration of Independence.  For the latter of these Trumbull resolved to show only accurate likenesses of the signers, in line with his concern of presenting a true memorial to this historic event.  Trumbull drew images in person where he could, using other life portraits or portraits of the sons for any of the other signers who were no longer alive or available.   Trumbull’s image became an instant classic and even today is the scene most people think of when they consider this seminal American event. 

During the nineteenth century several printed versions appeared, including this strong image issued by the Leggo Brothers in 1876 for the Centennial celebration.  The Leggo Brothers, who were from Canada, were responsible for the introduction of photo-lithography in the United States in 1872.  They used this process for illustrations in their publication the New York Daily Graphic which was the first daily illustrated newspaper in the world. 

An 1872 advertisement described Leggo’s Granulated Photograph as: “by which photographs from nature, mezzotints, paintings, drawings, etc. may be transferred to stone and printed in the same manner as ordinary lithographs, with all the softness and fidelity of the original photograph.”