Untitled, from folio; Sketches in France and Germany 1786

John Trumbull created this sketch in France or Germany, as part of a folio, sometime around 1780. Trumbull, an American artist, is best known for his historical paintings which immortalize key moments of the American Revolution, a conflict in which he also served as a soldier. This sketch, though less grand in scale, speaks to the politics of imagery and the social conditions that shape artistic production. Note the stern expression of the figure, his arms crossed, perhaps indicative of a military bearing or a more general discomfort with the environment. Consider too, the context: Trumbull's travels in Europe exposed him to different social and artistic norms, which undoubtedly influenced his work. Was this a study for a larger composition? A reflection on the artist's own identity as an American abroad? As historians, understanding Trumbull's sketch requires us to delve into the archives, to examine his letters, journals, and other sketches. Only then can we begin to understand the full meaning of this work within its complex social and institutional context.