Charles Carrol of Carrolton 1830 - 1840

This engraving of Charles Carroll of Carrollton was created by Asher Brown Durand, an artist who lived and worked in a rapidly changing America. Durand was part of a generation grappling with defining a national identity while also dealing with the moral contradictions of slavery and the displacement of indigenous people. Here, the image of Carroll, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, presents a complex interplay of power, legacy, and representation. As the only Catholic signatory, his identity adds a layer of religious context to the predominantly Protestant narrative of the nation's founding. Yet, his position as a wealthy landowner also implicates him in the economic systems built on enslaved labor. Durand’s choice to depict Carroll in this way invites us to reflect on the selective memory of historical narratives. The image speaks to the personal and collective responsibility we have to confront uncomfortable truths about our past.