American painter John Trumbull was born the son of Governor Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut in 1756. He aspired to be a painter like his hero, John Singleton Copley, against the wishes of his father. Graduating from Harvard in 1773 as the youngest member of his class, Trumbull's career was soon dampened by the Revolutionary War. In 1775, he enlisted as an Aide-de-Camp and drew strategic maps for Revolutionary War generals, but resigned after two years to study art in Boston. In 1780, he traveled to London to study art, but soon returned home after being arrested for aiding the execution of John Andre.

Trumbull returned to London five years later to study with noted painter Benjamin West. West wanted to create a series of paintings depicting the historical events of the Revolutionary War, but because he feared falling out of favor with the King of England, West encouraged and guided Trumbull through the painting of the series instead. The first of this series is Trumbull's well known work, “Battle of Bunker's Hill.” After completing several more pieces in the series, Trumbull returned home in 1789 to paint small portraits of American generals and prominent figures, including a famous portrait of George Washington in 1790.

Trumbull would make two more lengthy trips to England. On the first, beginning in 1794, he accompanied John Jay as his executive secretary. While on this trip, Trumbull married Sarah Hope Harvey in 1800, returning with her to New York in 1804, where they lived until 1808. The second trip to England came in 1808. Trumbull and his wife remained in London until 1816 when they returned to the United States. Sarah died in 1824. In 1831, Trumbull sold the works in his studio to Yale University. He died in 1843.

This collection contains several personal letters, some with transcriptions, to and from John Trumbull; a London bank draft; a photocopy of an inventory taken by John Trumbull of his wife's estate upon her death in 1824; photocopies of two inventories of houses rented by Trumbull in London; and a portfolio of the history of Trumbull's portrait of George Washington.

The portfolio contains a black and white photograph and description of the painting, a detailed provenance of the painting, and several letters of correspondence written by Trumbull to Eliza Parke Custis [Law], the eldest grandchild of George and Martha Washington, who inherited the portrait from her grandmother. These letters concern Trumbull's conservation of the painting in 1829-1830.

The contents of the box are arranged in accession number order.

None

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Purchased from various sources.

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION Repository code: DeWint File name: col391 Abstract: John Trumbull was an American painter. The bulk of the collection are letters and documents about his portrait of George Washington. Also included are an inventory of his wife's possessions and other letters. Extent: 0.3 linear feet Date range: 1800-1842 Related materials: Language: English Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera Winterthur, DE 19732 (302) 888-4853 John Trumbull Papers Col. 391 Creator: John Trumbull, 1756-1843. Title: Papers Dates: 1800-1842 Call No.: Col. 391 Acc. No.: [various - see detailed description] Quantity: 1 box, 1 volume Location: 4 E 11