Treaty of Paris, 1783

Paul Manship, Treaty of Paris, 1783, n.d., bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.141
Copied Paul Manship, Treaty of Paris, 1783, n.d., bronze, 7 x 10 1⁄4 in. (17.8 x 26.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.141

Artwork Details

Title
Treaty of Paris, 1783
Artist
Date
n.d.
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
7 x 10 1⁄4 in. (17.8 x 26.1 cm)
Credit Line
Bequest of Paul Manship
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — Franklin, Benjamin
  • History — United States — Revolution
  • Occupation — political — statesman
  • History — France
  • Figure group — male
Object Number
1966.47.141
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1966.47.141

Artwork Description

Paul Manship’s relief is one of several the sculptor created to commemorate episodes from the Revolutionary War (see also 1966.47.143, 1966.47.144, 1966.47.145, and 1966.47.136).  Manship’s papers indicate that these reliefs were designed for a projected “Hall of History,” but research has not revealed where or when that project was to appear. The Treaty of Paris, adopted on September 3, 1783, declared the United States independent from Great Britain and ended the Revolutionary War. The design shows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay signing the document for the United States. The seated figure at the opposite end of the table may represent David Hartley, a member of the British Parliament, who signed on behalf of Great Britain.