The Unfinished Canvas of Independence

In 1783, as the Treaty of Paris was set to be signed, American delegates Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay prepared to commemorate their victory in the American Revolutionary War. Artist Benjamin West aimed to capture this historic moment, inviting British delegates to join the painting. However, their refusal to be depicted highlighted their pride and the complexities of defeat. The resulting canvas, with its empty space for the British, became a poignant symbol of triumph, loss, and the nuances of diplomatic history. #history #diplomacy #AmericanRevolution #art #freedom