“The Capture of the Hessians at Trenton, December 26, 1776” by John Trumbull depicts the capture of the Hessian soldiers at the Battle of Trenton on the morning of December 26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War.
At the center is General George Washington aiding the mortally wounded Hessian Colonel. Trumbull’s intended was to show the compassion of General George Washington in this painting.
The Battle of Trenton was a pivotal battle during the American Revolutionary War. It followed Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River north of Trenton the previous night.
Washington led the Continental Army against Hessian soldiers garrisoned at Trenton. After a brief battle, nearly the entire force of 900 Hessians was captured, with negligible losses to the Americans.
The Hessians captured were paraded through the streets of Philadelphia to raise American morale. Anger at their presence helped the Continental Army recruit new soldiers. Most of the prisoners were sent to work as farmhands.
This painting is one of Trumbull’s series of historical paintings on the war, which also includes the Declaration of Independence and The Death of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777.
Trumbull composed the picture to provide an example to all soldiers, to show mercy to a fallen enemy.
John Trumbull
John Trumbull was an American artist during the period of the American Revolutionary War and was notable for his historical paintings.
His painting “Declaration of Independence” was used on the commemorative bicentennial two-dollar bill.
Trumbull also incorporated the likeness of his portraits into his depiction of the signing of the “Declaration of Independence.” Itis on display in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
The Capture of the Hessians at Trenton, December 26, 1776
- Title: The Capture of the Hessians at Trenton, December 26, 1776
- Artist: John Trumbull
- Year: Between 1786 and 1828
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 20.125 × 30 in (51.1 × 76.2 cm)
- Type: History Painting
- Museum: Yale University Art Gallery
John Trumbull
- Name: John Trumbull
- Born: 1756 – Lebanon, Colony of Connecticut, British America
- Died: 1843 (aged 87) – New York, New York, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Notable works:
- John Adams
- The Capture of the Hessians at Trenton, December 26, 1776
- Alexander Hamilton
A Tour of History Paintings
- “Washington Crossing the Delaware” by Emanuel Leutze
- “The Family of Darius before Alexander” by Paolo Veronese
- “Las Meninas” or “The Ladies-in-Waiting” by Diego Velázquez
- “The Third of May 1808″ by Francisco Goya
- The Second of May 1808 – The Charge of the Mamelukes by Francisco de Goya
- “The Fighting Temeraire” by Joseph Mallord William Turner
- “Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way” by Emanuel Leutze
- “The Capture of the Hessians at Trenton, December 26, 1776″ by John Trumbull
- “The March to Valley Forge” by William B. T. Trego
- “The Massacre at Chios” by Eugène Delacroix
- “The Execution of Lady Jane Grey” by Paul Delaroche
- “Cromwell in Battle of Naseby” by Charles Landseer
- “The Surrender of Breda” by Diego Velázquez
- “Hannibal and his Army Crossing the Alps” by J. M. W. Turner
- “The Death of Marat” by Gioacchino Giuseppe Serangeli after Jacques-Louis David
- “Oath of the Horatii” by Jacques-Louis David
- “The Coronation of Napoleon” by Jacques-Louis David
- “The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons by J. M. W. Turner
- “The Burning of the Houses of Parliament” by J. M. W. Turner
- “The Triumph of Cleopatra” by William Etty
- “Dempsey and Firpo” by George Bellows
- Floreat Etona! by Elizabeth Thompson
- Scotland Forever! by Elizabeth Thompson
Highlights of the Yale University Art Gallery
- “The Night Café” by Vincent van Gogh
- “The Capture of the Hessians at Trenton, December 26, 1776″ by John Trumbull
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“Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.”
– George Washington
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Photo Credit: 1) John Trumbull [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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