Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (1746–1825) Artist: John Trumbull (American, 1756–1843)

1791

American Paintings and Sculpture

On view, 2nd floor, American Art before 1900


In 1779, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney led the First South Carolina Regiment at the siege of Savannah, and in 1780 he commanded Fort Moultrie during the defense of Charleston. After the city fell, he spent the next two years as a prisoner of war. This miniature is part of a set of five depicting military officers who served during Revolutionary War campaigns in the South. Thomas Pinckney (1832.46), the younger brother of Charles, is also depicted in this set. With the exception of the portrait of Otho Holland Williams, these miniatures were painted by John Trumbull in Charleston, South Carolina, in February 1791. The inscriptions on the miniatures suggest that in addition to the fourteen history paintings Trumbull included in the lists he announced in 1790, he considered painting at least two other Revolutionary War scenes: The Siege of Savannah and The Attack on Charleston. Neither of these was ever executed.

Medium

Oil on wood

Dimensions

3 3/4 × 3 in. (9.5 × 7.6 cm)

Credit Line

Trumbull Collection

Accession Number

1832.48

Geography

Made in Charleston, South Carolina

Culture

American

Period

18th century

Classification

Miniatures

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Bibliography
  • Helen A. Cooper et al., Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: American Art from the Yale University Art Gallery, exh. cat. (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 2008), 101, no. 43, ill
  • Helen A. Cooper et al., John Trumbull: The Hand and Spirit of a Painter (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 1982), 142, pl. 86-90
Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Object/Work type

miniatures (paintings), portraits

Subject

Federalist Party lawyers men statesmen

Signed

Signed verso: "Charles Cotesworth Pinckney/Colonel of a Regiment././at the Attack of/Savannah./Painted by J. Trumbull/Charleston.Carolina/.."

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