A Marquis moment: Artwork from College’s collections help illustrate new Ken Burns documentary

In any project about the American Revolution, the Marquis de Lafayette plays a significant part. And now, thanks to its extensive collection of artworks depicting its namesake, Lafayette College shares its historic bounties for a much anticipated film.

A soon-to-be released documentary by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt chronicling the American Revolution includes artwork from the Lafayette College collection that depicts central figures from the period such as the Marquis. Attendees will get the chance to see an exclusive preview of The American Revolution, hosted by Lafayette in partnership with Lehigh Valley 250 and PBS39, on Oct. 23.

The ticketed event, which also includes a panel discussion, starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Williams Center for the Arts theater. 

Lafayette College provided a number of images from the Kirby Collection of Historical Paintings and Special Collections during the research for the film. Three artworks were selected by Burns’ Florentine Films production company for use in its 12-hour documentary about America’s eight-year war for independence, which premieres Nov. 16 on PBS and airs over six consecutive nights.

“We were happy to provide two oil paintings and an engraving from our Kirby Collection of Historical Paintings and Special Collections at Skillman Library for this much-anticipated film,” says Rico Reyes, director of art galleries and curator of collections. 

“We have a rich repository of 19th- and 20th-century portraits, history paintings, and sculpture that chronicles American democracy and experiences,” he adds, noting that Lafayette’s contribution to this film will add depth and context to the storytelling. 

“As we mark the College’s Bicentennial and honor our namesake, it’s fitting that two of the artworks provided for the documentary depict George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette,” Reyes notes. “One is at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, seen in the etching by H.B. Hall & Sons, and one at the end, in the painting by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe.” 

“We are incredibly grateful to Lafayette College for allowing us to feature art from their wonderful collection in our film, The American Revolution,” says Salimah El-Amin, a producer on the series. “The artwork we licensed — and particularly the paintings of Percy Moran and Jennie Augusta Brownscombe — helped us showcase the deep significance of the alliance with France to winning the Revolutionary War.”

Artwork provided for The American Revolution documentary 

Washington Greeting Lafayette at Mount Vernon, 1784, 1875, an oil on canvas by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe (1850-1936), from the Kirby Collection of Historical Paintings.

Washington Greeting Lafayette at Mount Vernon, 1784, 1875, an oil on canvas by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe (1850-1936)

The Arrival of the Comte de Rochambeau at Newport, R.I, July 10, 1780, circa 1911, an oil on canvas by Edward Percy Moran (1862-1935), from the Kirby Collection of Historical Paintings.

The Arrival of the Comte de Rochambeau at Newport, R.I, July 10, 1780, circa 1911, an oil on canvas by Edward Percy Moran (1862-1935)

Washington, La Fayette & Greene, an engraving by H.B. Hall & Sons, a renowned New York-based firm of engravers established in 1850, from Special Collections at Skillman Library.

Washington, La Fayette & Greene, an engraving by H.B. Hall & Sons

President Nicole Hurd, Jessica Edris, project leader for Lehigh Valley 250, and Hasanna Birdsong, president and CEO of PBS39/Lehigh Valley Public Media, will open the program with welcoming remarks.

The screening of “Voices & Visions” will provide a general overview of the documentary and include selected excerpts featuring art, music, and literature from the Revolutionary War era.

Following the screening, Edris will moderate a panel discussion with Reyes, Drew Swedberg, adjunct instructor of film and media studies, and Chris Philipps, professor of English.

Before and after the screening, attendees will have an opportunity to view Facing Lafayette: Man, Image, Myth in Williams Center Gallery, one of the College’s Bicentennial exhibitions. Curated with students Peter Godziela ’25 and Lillian Sampson ’27, this exhibition showcases the Marquis de Lafayette’s life in paintings, sculptures, and prints in a fresh narrative that reexamines his story and the myths surrounding him.