May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
After John Trumbull. "The Battle of Bunkers Hill, near Boston." Engraved by J.G. Muller. Published by A.C. de Poggi, London, 1798. Hand-colored, copper-plate engraving, 22 x 30 inches (view), within matted frame . In late 1785, American artist John Trumbull resolved to devote himself to the depiction of Revolutionary War scenes "which have since been the great objects of my professional life." Benjamin West encouraged Trumbull's objectives and through him, was introduced to "an Italian artist, by the name of Antonio di Poggi, of very superior talents as a draughtsman, and who had recently commenced the business of publishing." The first work that Trumbull completed in his projected series was The Battle at Bunker's Hill, begun in 1785 and finished in March 1786. Trumbull tried to find a suitable engraver in London, later searching in France, Germany and the Low Countries without success. He went back to the United States in November 1789, traveling across the new nation making portrait studies of partipants in key Revolutionary events for the painting series, temporarily abandoning the project. Trumbull accepted a post on the Jay Treaty Commission and returned to London. While serving there, Bunker's Hill, engraved by Johan Gerhard Muller, was finally published by Poggi in March 1798. The scene depicts the British final assault on the Breed's Hill redoubt, with British Colonel John Small attempting to stop a British grenadier from bayoneting the the mortally wounded patriot, General Joseph Warren. CONDITION: (not examined out of frame) very good, with light toning in title area below image, colors relatively fresh. JLK
Illustrated and discussed on pp. 130-131 of "For Liberty I Live."