Painting

Description

With this unfinished work, Pennsylvania-born expatriate Benjamin West commemorates a critical historical moment. Depicted are the American Commissioners charged with negotiating peace with Great Britain as the Revolutionary War drew to a close: John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple Franklin, Franklin’s grandson and commission secretary. The canvas’ exposed ground highlights missing British Commission members Richard Oswald and Caleb Whitefoord alongside the Indigenous and enslaved peoples omitted in the 1783 treaty’s vision for the new nation. With its striking composition, the painting became a lasting symbol of American independence seen on 1983 bicentennial commemorative issue stamps.