George Washington before the Battle of Trenton

John Trumbull American
ca. 1792–94
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 719
George Washington sat for Trumbull in Philadelphia in 1792; from that sitting, the artist created a fullsize canvas (Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn.) and this smaller version. The general is shown on the evening before the pivotal Battle of Trenton in late 1776. He looks upward, conceiving his strategy against the vastly superior approaching enemy. The significance of the moment is expressed in the drama of the threatening sky and by the excitable horse, held in check by a soldier groom.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: George Washington before the Battle of Trenton
  • Artist: John Trumbull (American, Lebanon, Connecticut 1756–1843 New York)
  • Date: ca. 1792–94
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 26 1/2 x 18 1/2 in. (67.3 x 47 cm)
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Grace Wilkes, 1922
  • Object Number: 22.45.9
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.