The Resignation of General Washington, December 23, 1783 1824 - 1828

John Trumbull memorializes in paint, the moment on December 23, 1783, when General George Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. The image vibrates with the historical and cultural contexts of a fledgling nation. We’re confronted with questions of power, virtue, and the very nature of leadership as the war hero Washington willingly relinquished his command, an act that was radical in its time. Trumbull, who fought in the Revolutionary War, frames this monumental event with the grandeur it was due. Yet, it’s hard to ignore the painting’s composition: elite white men dominate the scene, a stark reminder of who was included—and excluded—from shaping the nation's future. The women in the gallery are present but silent, their roles circumscribed, and the absence of people of color underscores the incomplete promise of liberty and equality at the nation’s founding. This painting reminds us that history is not just about great men and pivotal moments, but also about the complex, often contradictory, values that shape a society. It is a mirror reflecting both the ideals and the oversights of its time.