Ebenezer Stevens (1751–1823) Artist: John Trumbull (American, 1756–1843)

1790

American Paintings and Sculpture

On view, 2nd floor, American Art before 1900


This portrait of Colonel Ebenezer Stevens is part of a set of miniatures of Revolutionary War military officers painted by John Trumbull in preparation for several history paintings. After participating in the Boston Tea Party, Stevens fought in the battles of Ticonderoga, Stillwater, and Saratoga in New York as commander of the Massachusetts artillery and accompanied French military officer the Marquis de Lafayette to Virginia, where he served part-time as commander of the artillery during the siege at Yorktown. In Trumbull's The Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga (1832.7), Stevens leans against the cannon at the far right of the painting. After the war, Stevens was a merchant in New York City, where this miniature was painted, and commanded the artillery there during the War of 1812.

Medium

Oil on wood

Dimensions

3 7/8 × 3 1/8 in. (9.8 × 8 cm)

Credit Line

Trumbull Collection

Accession Number

1832.27

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), 98, no. 40, ill
  • Helen A. Cooper et al., John Trumbull: The Hand and Spirit of a Painter (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 1982), 127, pl. 46-50
Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Object/Work type

miniatures (paintings), portraits

Subject

merchants

Signed

Signed verso: "William [sic] Stevens, Esqr.-/Commander of the American/Artillery at the capture of/Genl. Burgoyne---../Colonel to the close of the war./Painted at New York/1790. by John Trumbull."

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