Yorktown Surrender - John Trumbull Painting

American and French troops, supported by French ships, defeated Lord Cornwallis and the Redcoats at Yorktown. John Trumbull (who was at the battle) recreated the scene with a painting which now hangs in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

The architect of the Capitol tells us the following about the painting and its background:

The surrender of the British at Yorktown, Virginia, on October 19, 1781, ended the Revolutionary War. Trumbull placed American General Benjamin Lincoln at the center on a white horse, with French officers on the left and Americans on the right, led by General Washington on the brown horse. The British are represented by British officers, but Lord Cornwallis himself was not present. Trumbull was proud of the fact that he had painted portraits of the French officers while in France; he included a self portrait in the group under the American flag.

John Trumbull (1756–1843) was born in Connecticut, the son of the governor. After graduating from Harvard University, he served in the Continental Army under General Washington. He studied painting with Benjamin West in London and focused on history painting.

Click on the image to substantially enlarge it. Trumbull will be visible, facing a different direction from the men around him.