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Secondary sourcePaintingbetween 1800 and 1899

Signing of the Declaration of Independence

John Trumbull · between 1800 and 1899

A 19th-century mezzotint after John Trumbull's painting showing Thomas Jefferson presenting the draft Declaration of Independence to Congress in 1776.

This image shows Jefferson presenting his draft of the Declaration of Independence to Congress in 1776.

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Black and white engraved print of a crowded colonial meeting room with a draped table and a seated man in a high-backed chair beside a group of standing men in 18th-century dress. A flag and drums hang on the wall. Title below reads The Declaration of Independence, July 4 1776, published by John Neale.
H. S. Sadd, The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, mezzotint, 19th century, after John Trumbull. Wellcome Collection, London.

About this source

What it is

This mezzotint print, made sometime in the 1800s by H. S. Sadd, reproduces John Trumbull's famous painting of the presentation of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. It shows the drafting committee—John Adams, Roger Sherman, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin—standing before John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, with Jefferson presenting the document. Trumbull sketched many individuals and the room from life, though this print was made decades later. It is held by the Wellcome Collection in London.

Why it matters

This image is one of the most famous visual representations of American independence, showing Jefferson's central role as the Declaration's principal author alongside other Founding Fathers. Because it is a later print copying an earlier painting, it is a secondary source shaped by how later generations wanted to remember this moment.

Look closer

  • Who is placed at the center of the image, and what does that suggest about who the artist wanted viewers to notice?
  • The painting includes 42 of 56 signers—who might be missing, and why?
  • How might an idealized historical painting differ from what the event actually looked like?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Thomas Jefferson on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Scan of the engrossed Declaration of Independence on aged parchment. Heading reads 'In Congress, July 4, 1776' with the title 'The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America' below. Dense handwritten text fills the page; signatures appear at the bottom.Document

Primary source

Declaration of Independence

Continental Congress (drafted by Thomas Jefferson) · 1776

Oval stipple engraving portrait of a man with white hair, dark coat and white cravat, titled 'Tho.s Jefferson, President of the United States of America', with 'European Magazine' above and publication line below.Painting

Primary source

Thomas Jefferson Stipple Engraving after Gilbert Stuart

After Gilbert Stuart · 1802

Document

Primary source

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

Thomas Jefferson · written 1777, enacted 16 January 1786

Engraved print of a man with white powdered hair in an oval frame, wearing a dark coat and cravat, set against horizontal line hatching. Below: 'Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America', number 239, and 'J. Kay 1801' signature.Painting

Primary source

Thomas Jefferson Etching by John Kay, 1807

Gilbert Stuart · 1807

Engraved portrait print of Thomas Jefferson, a man with curly white hair in a dark coat, high white collar and lace jabot, shown on a page of a bound album. Caption below reads JEFFERSON, Dédié au Général Lafayette.Painting

Secondary source

Porträt Thomas Jefferson

Auguste Gaspard Louis Boucher Desnoyers

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