Jonah Patel
Howard Chandler Christy's painting, 'Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States', is a 20-by-30-foot framed oil-on-canvas scene that is among the best-known images in the United States Capitol. Completed in 1940, the painting depicts the Constitutional Convention signing the U.S. Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. Christy's painting is important as it is conventionally acclaimed as the best single picture ever created of the American Founding, with the artist going to great lengths to ensure historical accuracy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Howard Chandler Christy |
| Year of Completion | 1940 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 20 by 30 feet |
| Location | East Grand Stairway of the House Wing in the U.S. Capitol |
| Subject | Constitutional Convention signing the U.S. Constitution |
| Historical Accuracy | High |
| Number of Delegates Depicted | 39 out of 55 |
| Notable Figures Included | George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, William Jackson |
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What You'll Learn
- Howard Chandler Christy's painting is one of the most famous depictions of the early days of the US
- The painting is historically accurate, engaging in political interpretation
- It captures the Constitutional Convention at work, bringing the American Founders to life
- The painting is displayed in the east grand stairway of the House wing in the US Capitol
- Christy's painting is a vital celebration of the American Founding
Howard Chandler Christy's painting is one of the most famous depictions of the early days of the US
Howard Chandler Christy's painting, "The Signing of the Constitution", is one of the most famous depictions of the early days of the United States. Completed in 1940, the 20-by-30-foot framed oil-on-canvas scene is among the best-known images in the United States Capitol. It is currently displayed in the east grand stairway of the House wing. The painting depicts the Constitutional Convention signing the U.S. Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787.
The painting is acclaimed as the best single picture ever created of the American Founding, due to its effort at historical authenticity, political interpretation, and ability to bring the American Founders to life. Christy's work is also notable for its bright and airy colours and almost impressionistic brushwork, setting it apart from many of the other historical paintings in the Capitol.
To achieve historical accuracy, Christy conducted extensive research, including searching for portraits by renowned artists of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, such as Charles Willson Peale and Gilbert Stuart. He located portraits of thirty-seven out of the thirty-nine delegates and the Secretary, William Jackson. Christy also took liberties in composing his scene, including delegates who were present but did not sign the Constitution, while obscuring the faces of two signers for whom no portraits were found.
The painting features several symbolic details. The books beside Benjamin Franklin's chair belonged to Thomas Jefferson's library, acknowledging Jefferson's importance to the Constitution. The flags depicted include the Stars and Stripes, a regimental flag from a Maryland dragoon regiment, and colours from Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The central figure of George Washington stands prominently on a platform, with Richard Spaight of North Carolina signing the document beside him. Eighty-one-year-old Benjamin Franklin is seated in the centre, with Alexander Hamilton leaning towards him, while James Madison appears to the right.
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The painting is historically accurate, engaging in political interpretation
Howard Chandler Christy's painting, "The Signing of the Constitution", is a historically accurate and politically interpretive artwork. Completed in 1940, the painting is a 20-by-30-foot framed oil-on-canvas scene that is among the best-known images in the United States Capitol. The painting is on display in the east grand stairway of the House wing.
Christy's painting depicts the signing of the United States Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. It is historically accurate, as Christy conducted extensive research to create an authentic scene. He located portraits of thirty-seven out of thirty-nine delegates and the Secretary, William Jackson, and studied authentic costumes, furniture, and artifacts used by the delegates. He also included books from Thomas Jefferson's library, acknowledging his importance to the Constitution.
The painting is politically interpretive, as Christy made several artistic choices to portray the significance of the event. George Washington, the president of the convention, stands upright and looks out over the delegates, emphasising his leadership role. Benjamin Franklin, at eighty-one years old, is seated in the centre, with Alexander Hamilton leaning towards him, highlighting the respect and wisdom Franklin commanded. James Madison, who played a pivotal role in the Constitution's formation, appears on the right.
Christy also includes symbolic details, such as the flags depicted in the painting, which represent the Stars and Stripes, a Maryland dragoon regiment, and regimental colours from Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Additionally, the crumpled paper on the floor next to Sherman and Johnson, authors of the Connecticut Compromise, symbolises the hard work and compromise that went into ensuring representation for the people in the House and the States in the Senate.
Overall, Christy's painting "The Signing of the Constitution" is a historically accurate and politically interpretive artwork that captures the importance and significance of the signing of the United States Constitution.
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It captures the Constitutional Convention at work, bringing the American Founders to life
Howard Chandler Christy's painting, "The Signing of the Constitution", is a historically accurate and politically interpretive work that brings the American Founders to life. The painting is a 20-by-30-foot framed oil-on-canvas scene that depicts the Constitutional Convention signing the U.S. Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787.
The painting is notable for its historical accuracy, with Christy conducting extensive research to ensure the accuracy of his portrayal. He studied early portraits of the signers, consulted historical details, and borrowed authentic costumes, including a pair of George Washington's breeches from the Smithsonian Institution. He also included books from Thomas Jefferson's library, acknowledging Jefferson's importance to the Constitution.
The painting captures the Constitutional Convention at work, with only 39 of the 55 delegates to the Convention pictured. The delegates are shown in various poses, some seated at tables and others standing, engaging in debate and discussion. At the centre of the painting is William Jackson, who recorded the resolutions and votes during the convention. George Washington, the president of the convention, stands upright on a dais on the right side of the painting, looking out over the delegates.
The painting is on display in the east grand stairway of the House wing in the U.S. Capitol, where it serves as a vital celebration of the American Founding. It is considered one of the most famous depictions of the early days of the United States, offering a glimpse into the important moment in American history when the Constitution was signed.
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The painting is displayed in the east grand stairway of the House wing in the US Capitol
Howard Chandler Christy's painting, "The Signing of the Constitution", is displayed in the east grand stairway of the House wing in the US Capitol. The painting is one of the most famous depictions of the early days of the United States, and is considered the best single picture ever created of the American Founding. It is also one of the largest paintings in the Capitol, measuring 20 by 30 feet (6.1 by 9.1 metres).
The painting was commissioned in 1939 as part of the congressional observance of the Constitution's sesquicentennial. It was completed in 1940 and depicts Independence Hall in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. The scene shows 39 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, with George Washington standing prominently on a platform next to Richard Spaight of North Carolina, who is signing the document. Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, is seated in the centre, with Alexander Hamilton leaning towards him, while James Madison appears to the right.
Christy went to great lengths to ensure historical accuracy in his painting. He created a sketch for the painting in Independence Hall, at the same time of day as the signing, to accurately capture the angle of sunlight in the room. He also borrowed books from Thomas Jefferson's library to include them in the scene, acknowledging Jefferson's importance to the Constitution. Additionally, Christy researched authentic costumes, including a pair of George Washington's breeches borrowed from the Smithsonian Institution.
The painting is displayed in a prominent location in the US Capitol, where it has been since its installation in the east grand stairway. It serves as a visual representation of the importance of the signing of the Constitution in American history.
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Christy's painting is a vital celebration of the American Founding
Howard Chandler Christy's painting, "The Signing of the Constitution", is a vital celebration of the American Founding. The painting is a historically accurate scene of the signing of the United States Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. It is one of the most famous depictions of the early days of the United States and is considered the best single picture ever created of the American Founding.
The painting was commissioned in 1939 as part of the congressional observance of the Constitution's sesquicentennial. It was completed in 1940 and is a 20-by-30-foot framed oil-on-canvas scene. The painting is on display in the east grand stairway of the House wing of the United States Capitol.
Christy's painting is unique in its effort to achieve historical authenticity. He spent five years researching the scene, studying portraits by the best artists of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, such as Charles Willson Peale and Gilbert Stuart. He located portraits of thirty-seven out of the thirty-nine delegates depicted in the painting, as well as the Secretary, William Jackson. Christy also researched and depicted authentic costumes, furniture, and artifacts used by the delegates.
The painting is also significant because it brings the American Founders to life. It captures the Convention at work, with delegates seated at tables and engaged in discussion. The books beside Franklin's chair were part of Thomas Jefferson's library, borrowed from the Rare Book Room of the Library of Congress, to acknowledge Jefferson's importance to the Constitution. The flags depicted in the painting are the Stars and Stripes, one from a Maryland dragoon regiment, and regimental colors from Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Overall, Christy's painting is a vital celebration of the American Founding because it commemorates a critical event in American history, accurately portrays the people and setting involved, and brings the American Founders to life in a dynamic and engaging way.
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Frequently asked questions
The Signing of the Constitution.
The painting was completed in 1940.
It is displayed in the east grand stairway of the House wing in the U.S. Capitol.
The painting measures 20 by 30 feet.
The painting is oil on canvas.
