Writing the Declaration of Independence, 1776 

Jean Leon Gerome Ferris painted this depiction of the drafting of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It’s an image of a pivotal moment in American history. Here, the artist portrays a scene of collaboration and intellectual labor, which can tell us much about American cultural values at the time and how institutions help shape the production and reception of art. The painting invites viewers to consider the social conditions that shape artistic production. The country’s pursuit of self-governance, set against the backdrop of revolution, emphasized enlightenment ideals of reason, liberty, and equality. Even the room is telling. Ferris makes clear this historic moment takes place in an airy and modern space, a beacon of light. But how does it create meaning? It uses visual codes, cultural references and historical associations, but to what end? This work reflects the nation’s aspiration for a new social order. Historians examine such visual representations, alongside archival documents and philosophical treatises, to better understand the complexities of this historical transformation. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.