Edward Savage
Congress Voting Independence

Public Domain

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Engraver Edward Savage (American, 1761–1817)American, 1761–1817

Artistafter Robert Edge Pine (English, 1742–1788)English, 1742–1788

CultureAmerican

Titles

Congress Voting Independence

Datec. 1795

PlacePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

MediumStipple and line engraving on laid paper

DimensionsPlate: 18 7/8 × 25 7/16 in. (47.9 × 64.6 cm)
Sheet: 20 1/16 × 27 1/8 in. (51 × 68.9 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by Robert H. Allen in honor of Robert L. Gerry III at "One Great Night in November, 1991"

Object numberB.91.45

Not on view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

PRINTS

DescriptionThe painting, on which this engraving is based, was made by English-born artist Robert Edge Pine. He came to the United States in 1784 seeking to paint events related to the American Revolution. He received access to Independence Hall in Philadelphia and began working on Congress Voting Independence. When Pine died in 1788, the painting may have been uncompleted. It is possible that artist Edward Savage completed the painting, but it is certain that he undertook an engraving of the scene, which remained uncompleted at the time of his death in 1817. In this version of the scene, John Hancock is seated behind the table at the center as Thomas Jefferson presents the document. The figure seated just to the right of center is probably Benjamin Franklin, but identification of all the figures is inconclusive.
Provenance[The Philadelphia Print Shop, Philadelphia]; purchased by MFAH, 1991.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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