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Primary sourcePainting1782

Portrait of Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau

Charles Willson Peale · 1782

A 1782 life portrait of Rochambeau painted by Charles Willson Peale for his gallery of Revolutionary War heroes.

This life portrait by Peale shows how Americans honoured Rochambeau as a hero of their Revolution.

Ask Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Oval oil portrait of an older man with powdered gray hair, looking toward the viewer, wearing a dark cloak with gold braided trim, a white cravat, pink garment beneath, and a large embroidered star-shaped order insignia on his chest, set in a gold frame against a dark background.
Charles Willson Peale, Comte de Rochambeau, 1782, oil on canvas. Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia.

About this source

What it is

This oval oil portrait of Rochambeau was painted from life in 1782 by the American artist Charles Willson Peale. It shows an older man with powdered gray hair wearing a dark cloak, a white cravat, and a large star-shaped order on his chest. It is held at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia.

Why it matters

Peale painted many leaders of the American Revolution for a gallery of heroes, and including Rochambeau shows how Americans honoured the French commander as one of their own. The insignia on his chest marks his status as a nobleman and knight, a reminder that France's aid came through its aristocratic officer class.

Look closer

  • What does the star-shaped badge on his chest tell you about his rank and status?
  • Why might an American painter choose to portray a French general among American heroes?
  • What is left out of a formal portrait like this that a letter or map might show instead?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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