John Trumbull
America Presenting at the Altar of Liberty, Medallions of Her Illustrious Sons

America Presenting at the Altar of Liberty, Medallions of Her Illustrious Sons

Public Domain

America Presenting at the Altar of Liberty, Medallions of Her Illustrious Sons
AfterAmerican, 1756–1843
CultureEnglish
Titles
  • America Presenting at the Altar of Liberty, Medallions of Her Illustrious Sons
Datec. 1785
Made inEngland
MediumCopperplate-printed cotton
Dimensions37 3/16 × 27 3/16 in. (94.5 × 69 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by the estate of Miss Ima Hogg
Object numberB.2020.5
Not on view

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Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

In this expansive allegory, George Washington, accompanied by Victory, looks on as the kneeling figure of America presents Liberty with portrait medallions of individuals who played important roles in the American Revolution. The figure of Washington is adapted from a print after a painting by John Trumbull, known for his paintings of the American Revolution. Philadelphia artist and collector Pierre Eugène du Simitière drew the profile portraits that were later issued as engravings and adapted as the medallions here.

This textile, made shortly after the end of the Revolution, demonstrates the speed with which British manufacturers supplied pro-American goods to the former colonies.


ProvenanceBy descent through William M. Burr (1794–1869) and Catherine Ten Eyck Burr (1798–1865), Cazenovia, New York; Benjamin Rush Wendell (1822–1884) and Margaret Ten Eyck Wendell (1827–1904); Burr Wendell (1853–1914) and Emily Lentilhon Smith Wendell (1857–1931), Cazenovia; Margaret Ten Eyck Wendell (1882–1920), Cazenovia; former home of William M. Burr and Catherine Ten Eyck Burr, Cazenovia; purchased by Norma Keno (1933–2001), Mohawk, New York; purchased by [Cora Ginsburg, New York], 1994; purchased by MFAH, 2020.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
On Fame’s trumpet banner: WASHINGTON, AND / INDEPENDENCE

On the base of the altar of Liberty: AMERICA PRESENTING AT THE / ALTAR OF LIBERTY, MEDALLIONS / OF HER ILLUSTRIOUS SONS

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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Textile Panel
Henry William Bunbury
c. 1782
Copperplate-printed cotton
B.79.45.2
Framed Medallion Piecework Quilt
c. 1790–1820
Cotton, linen, and wool
B.79.229
Bedspread
c. 1850
Chintz, cotton, printed
B.79.66
Bedcover
c. 1816
Cotton, roller printed, quilted
B.75.55
Curtain Panel
c. 1850; restored c. 1954–1955
Glazed chintz, transfer-printed cotton
B.69.433.4
Textile Fragment
c. 1850; restored c. 1954–1955
Glazed chintz, transfer-printed cotton
B.69.433.1
Friendship Quilt
c. 1840–1880
Printed and inked cottons
B.97.14
Wholecloth Quilt
c. 1760–1775
Resist printed cotton, tabby linen back, linen quilting thread, and woolen batting
B.57.66
Curtain Panel
c. 1850; restored c. 1954–1955
Glazed chintz, transfer-printed cotton
B.69.433.5
Curtain
c. 1820–1830
Glazed and printed cotton (chintz)
B.79.14.4
Curtain
c. 1820–1830
Glazed and printed cotton (chintz)
B.79.14.8
Curtain
c. 1820–1830
Glazed and printed cotton (chintz)
B.79.14.9