The Museum of the American Revolution’s special exhibition, “Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War” brings together — for the first time in public — more than 45 original paintings by nationally renowned historical artist Don Troiani.
The special exhibition is on view at the museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, through Sept. 5, 2022.
Credit: Museum of the American Revolution
“We are thrilled to be able to present this exhibition of the extraordinary, research-based works of Don Troiani,” said Matthew Skic, curator of exhibitions for the museum. “Troiani’s paintings capture the raw emotions of the women and men caught up in war, allowing us an authentic and dramatic glimpse into the past and helping us grasp the human struggle of the American Revolution. The exhibition continues the museum’s ongoing effort to make the compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events of the American Revolution real for modern-day audiences.”
Featured in the exhibition is Troiani’s recent painting, “Brave Men as Ever Fought,” commissioned by the museum and funded by the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail of the National Park Service. This painting captures the moment when 15-year-old African American sailor and Philadelphian James Forten witnesses Black and Native American troops in the ranks of the Continental Army as they marched past Independence Hall on their way to eventual victory at Yorktown, Virginia. Forten later called those soldiers “as brave Men as ever fought.”
Credit: Courtesy of Brian and Barbara Hendelson
The special exhibition pairs Troiani’s works of art with artifacts that inspired or appear in his paintings and illuminate the story of each scene. The 40 objects on display include weapons, military equipment, textiles, manuscripts and more, which are on loan from Troiani’s personal collection, the museum’s collection and other lenders. These pairings plunge visitors into some of the most pivotal moments of America’s fight for independence.
Credit: Don Troiani
“It is my hope that my paintings help people today grasp the significance of the Revolutionary struggles of the people who lived 250 years ago, whose brave actions continue to shape our lives,” Troiani said. “I cannot think of a better institution than the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia to partner with to publicly display, for the first time, my original paintings of the Revolutionary War.”
Troiani, based in Connecticut, has dedicated much of his artistic career to imagining and re-creating what the Revolutionary War truly looked like. His use of primary sources, archaeology, original artifacts and other research methods imbues his paintings with an almost photographic-quality realism.
Credit: Don Troiani
Group tickets are available at a discounted price. Thirty-minute guided tours are available through group sales for private bookings. To book or for more information, contact groups@amrevmuseum.org or call 215-579-3623.
The Museum of the American Revolution is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with enhanced health and safety protocols. Masks are required for all visitors ages 5 and up, regardless of vaccination status. The 5,000-square-foot special exhibition of “Liberty” is located in the museum’s first-floor Patriots Gallery.
