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The Surrender of General Burgoyne is an oil painting by the American artist John Trumbull, completed in 1821 and displayed in the rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. The painting depicts British General John Burgoyne's surrender to General Horatio Gates at Saratoga, New York, on October 17, 1777. Trumbull, a former soldier, began sketching ideas for a series of large-scale paintings commemorating significant events of the American Revolution in 1785, and it is believed that he was commissioned by Congress to paint this scene in 1791.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | John Trumbull |
| Year commissioned | 1816-1824 |
| Year completed | 1821 |
| Year exhibited | 1822 |
| Location | United States Capitol rotunda, Washington, D.C. |
| Subject | Surrender of British General John Burgoyne at Saratoga, New York on October 17, 1777 |
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![Historic Framed Print, Surrender of Burgoyne" painting in Capitol, [Washington, D.C.]", 17-7/8" x 21-7/8"](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41NCuwGpa9L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
The painting was completed in 1821
The painting "The Surrender of General Burgoyne" was completed in 1821 by the American artist John Trumbull. The oil painting was commissioned by Congress to decorate the Rotunda of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. It is said that Trumbull spent eight years executing the commission, finally completing the painting in December 1821. It was first displayed in New York City from January to March 1822, and Trumbull supervised its hanging in the Capitol rotunda in 1824, where it has remained ever since.
The painting depicts the surrender of British Lieutenant General John Burgoyne to American Major General Horatio Gates at Saratoga, New York, on October 17, 1777. This event marked a turning point in the American Revolution, as it prevented the British from dividing New England from the rest of the colonies and led to active French support for the American cause. The peaceful scene is portrayed against a golden autumnal landscape, with General Burgoyne handing his sword to General Gates, who refuses it and gestures towards a tent offering hospitality.
Trumbull's painting is based on his early sketches and miniatures, which he began in 1785 as part of a series of history paintings to commemorate the major events of the American Revolution. The final canvas differs from his early compositions, lacking the spirit of his earlier work. Trumbull included topographical features in the painting, such as a large tree in the left foreground and autumnal leaves, adding depth and context to the scene.
In 1828, Trumbull performed the first cleaning and restoration of the Rotunda paintings, including "The Surrender of General Burgoyne." He applied wax to the backs of the paintings to protect them from dampness and cleaned and re-varnished their surfaces. He also repaired damage to Colonel Daniel Morgan's foot, which had been cut with a sharp instrument.
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It was commissioned by Congress
The Surrender of General Burgoyne is an oil painting by the American artist John Trumbull. The painting, which was completed in 1821, hangs in the United States Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C. It was commissioned by Congress to decorate the Rotunda of the Capitol with this scene.
Trumbull was an American soldier who served as an aide to both George Washington and Horatio Gates during the early years of the American Revolutionary War. After resigning from the army in 1777, he pursued a career as an artist. In 1785, he began sketching out ideas for a series of large-scale paintings to commemorate the major events of the American Revolution.
Among the subjects Trumbull selected for his history paintings was the surrender of British General John Burgoyne at Saratoga, New York, on 16 or 17 October 1777. This event marked a turning point in the American Revolution, as it prevented the British from dividing New England from the rest of the colonies and led to active French support for the American cause. In the painting, General Burgoyne is depicted preparing to surrender his sword to General Horatio Gates, who respectfully refuses to take it and instead offers hospitality by directing Burgoyne to the tent to take refreshment.
Trumbull spent eight years executing the commission, and the painting was first displayed in New York City from January to March 1822. The artist supervised its hanging in the Capitol rotunda in 1824, and it has remained there ever since. Trumbull himself cleaned and varnished the painting in 1828 and also repaired damage to the right foot of Colonel Daniel Morgan, which had been cut out with a sharp instrument.
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It depicts British General John Burgoyne's surrender
The painting "Surrender of General Burgoyne" was commissioned to commemorate a pivotal moment in the American Revolutionary War. It depicts British General John Burgoyne's surrender to American and French forces at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. This battle is often considered a turning point in the war as it led to foreign recognition and support for the American cause.
The painting shows a dramatic scene with General Burgoyne on horseback, accompanied by his staff officers, surrendering to General Horatio Gates, the American commander at Saratoga. It captures the moment when Burgoyne, dressed in a vibrant red uniform, offers his sword as a token of surrender. The surrounding landscape hints at the intense battle that has just taken place, with smoke rising in the background and wounded soldiers being tended to.
John Trumbull, an American artist known for his historical paintings, created this work between 1786 and 1821. Trumbull was a Revolutionary War veteran himself, having served as an aide to General George Washington, and he witnessed the surrender of Burgoyne firsthand. He sought to capture the drama and significance of this historic moment in his painting.
The painting is notable for its attention to detail and the accuracy of the portraits. Trumbull took great care to ensure that the individuals depicted were recognizable, and he based the portraits on sketches he made of the principals, as well as on other existing portraits. The painting also includes a diverse range of figures, reflecting the international nature of the conflict, with Native American allies, British and American soldiers, and French officers all present.
"Surrender of General Burgoyne" is a significant work in American art history, not only for its historical subject matter but also for its artistic merit. It is one of a series of paintings by Trumbull that depict pivotal moments in the Revolutionary War, and it helped shape the visual narrative of the nation's early history. The painting has been reproduced widely and continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made during the war and the pivotal moments that shaped the course of American independence.
Through this painting, Trumbull not only captured a pivotal moment in the war but also created a lasting visual legacy that contributes to our understanding of this important historical event.
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It was painted by John Trumbull
The painting "The Surrender of General Burgoyne" was indeed painted by the American artist John Trumbull. Trumbull was a notable historical painter who often depicted scenes from the American Revolutionary War. He was also the son of Jonathan Trumbull, a governor of Connecticut and a patriot during the war. Born in 1756, John Trumbull had a front-row seat to the events of the revolution, and his artwork would later memorialize some of its most pivotal moments.
Trumbull began his artistic career relatively late in life, after first attempting careers in business and the military. He studied art in London in the 1780s and quickly developed a style influenced by the Neoclassical movement. His works often featured dramatic lighting, precise attention to detail, and dynamic compositions that captured the drama and tension of the subject matter. Trumbull's talent and unique perspective on the Revolutionary War made him a sought-after artist, and he received numerous commissions from prominent figures and institutions.
"The Surrender of General Burgoyne" is one of Trumbull's most famous works and was commissioned by the United States Congress in 1817. The painting depicts a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War, when British General John Burgoyne surrendered his sword to American General Horatio Gates after the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. This defeat marked a turning point in the war, as it was the first significant victory for the American forces and helped to secure foreign recognition and support for the revolution.
Trumbull's painting captures the drama and significance of this event. General Burgoyne is shown in the center, seated on a horse and offering his sword in surrender. General Gates, surrounded by other American officers, accepts the surrender with a dignified and respectful attitude. The composition is carefully arranged to emphasize the key figures, with the surrounding landscape and troops adding to the sense of depth and context.
Trumbull's attention to detail and historical accuracy was meticulous. He interviewed participants of the battle and consulted various sources to ensure that the uniforms, weapons, and physical features of those depicted were accurate. The artist also created several versions of the painting, making changes and adjustments based on feedback and his own evolving artistic vision. This particular work, and Trumbull's body of art, stands as an important visual record of the Revolutionary War, offering a unique perspective on the events that shaped the course of American history.
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It hangs in the US Capitol Rotunda
The Surrender of General Burgoyne is an oil painting by the American artist John Trumbull. The painting was completed in 1821 and has hung in the United States Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. since 1824.
Trumbull was commissioned by Congress to decorate the Rotunda of the Capitol with this scene in 1817. He spent the next eight years executing the commission, completing the painting in December 1821. It was first displayed in New York City from January to March 1822, and Trumbull supervised its hanging in the Capitol Rotunda in 1824.
The painting depicts the surrender of British Lieutenant General John Burgoyne at Saratoga, New York, on 17 October 1777. This followed battles with American General Horatio Gates near Saratoga in September and October 1777. With the British losing men and defences, Burgoyne retreated to Saratoga, where he surrendered to General Gates. This turning point in the American Revolution prevented the British from dividing New England from the rest of the colonies and brought active French support to the American cause.
The scene suggests peace rather than combat or hostility: beneath a blue sky and white clouds, officers wear dress uniforms, and weapons are sheathed or slung. American officers gather at the sides to witness the event, their varied dress reflecting their different units. In the centre of the painting is Burgoyne's army, along with its German reinforcements. They were directed to the camp by American Colonel Lewis, Quartermaster-General, who rides on horseback in the far distance.
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Frequently asked questions
The painting was commissioned in 1785 when John Trumbull began planning a series of history paintings to commemorate the major events of the American Revolution.
The painting was completed in 1821 and exhibited in New York City from January to March 1822.
The painting was commissioned by Congress, who asked Trumbull to decorate the Rotunda of the Capitol with this scene.
The painting depicts the surrender of British Lieutenant General John Burgoyne at Saratoga, New York, on 17 October 1777.
The painting hangs in the United States Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C., where it has been since 1824.
