Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
DAR donates Constitution signing print to Justice Center
WEST CHESTER » The Chester County Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution donated a framed limited-edition print of “The Signing of the Constitution” by Louis S. Glanzman to the Chester County Justice Center.
Common Pleas Court Judge Allison Royer (Chester County DAR chairwoman of the Americanism Committee) arranged for the print to be hung in the Jury Selection Room.
The original painting was commissioned by the Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey State Societies of the DAR for the Bicentennial of the Constitution in 1987. It was donated to Independence National Historical Park and was until recently on exhibit in the West Wing of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Today the painting is displayed in the headquarters of Independence National Historical Park.
The best-known rendition of the signing of the U.S. Constitution was done by artist Howard Chandler Christy in 1940, which shows the Convention Secretary William Jackson and the 39 men who signed the document. This painting now hangs inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. According to the Teaching American History website, “Glanzman’s interpretation is the most historically accurate portrayal: the color of the walls and the features of the signers are authentic.”
Glanzman based his depictions of the delegates on portraits painted of them during their lifetimes. Glanzman disguised as a delegate. He shows Jacob Broom from Delaware signing the Constitution with his back turned to the viewer because he was not aware of an official portrait of Broom. Glanzman included Jackson, to make a total of 40 people in the painting. But, unlike Christy, Glanzman has added the three nonsigners — Gerry, Mason, and Randolph — so as to present all 43 delegates present on the last day of the Convention. Washington is still at the center of the portrayal. The Rising Sun chair is there, but it is not overpowering. There are no halos, but there’s lots of light.”
The National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, headquartered in Washington D.C., is a nonprofit, non-political service organization that honors men and women whose sacrifices made our country free. Members are direct descendants of a Patriot who furthered the cause for American independence. They may have fought, swore an oath to the new nation or provided supplies/financial support. The organization promotes patriotism, education and historic preservation within our communities.
Visit www.dar.org to learn more.