Painting depicting the five-man drafting committee of the Declaration of Independence presenting their work to the Congress

Pulling Down the Statue of King George III, New York City

Source: New-York Historical Society Museum & Library

In 1852–1853, artist Johannes Adam Simon Ortel painted Pulling Down the Statue of King George III, New York City, a work depicting an event that took place shortly after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. How did the era in which Ortel lived and painted affect Ortel’s depiction? Visit this site to view Ortel’s painting and learn the answer.