This painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 is by artist Charles-Edouard Armand-Dumaresq. Also in the White House Collection is a sketch that may be a draft by the artist for this work. The painting depicts the delegates actively debating and voting on the Declaration. Armand-Dumaresq was a French painter who visited the United States in the 1870s.

This portrait of Benjamin Franklin was painted by David Martin in 1767 in London, England. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Martin was a Scottish painter who later became famous for portraits; this painting of Franklin was one of his early works. Franklin lived in London twice on behalf of the United States and its interests. This portrait was commissioned by Robert Alexander of William Alexander and Sons in Edinburgh, Scotland during one of those stays when Alexander had a property claim being disputed with another man. Both Alexander and the plaintiff agreed to seek Franklin's legal advice and promised to adhere to Franklin's decision. Franklin ruled in favor of Alexander, who commissioned the portrait in gratitude for Franklin's ruling.

This copy of a portrait of Tadeusz Kosciuszko was done by Danute Sawnor, based on the original portrait by Jozef Grassi. Kosciuszko was a Polish military leader who fought in the American Revolution. Kosciuszko is depicted wearing the insignia of the Order of Cincinnati, an exclusive society of military officers formed during the Revolutionary era.

A small bronze statue of Continental Army solider Nathan Hale by sculptor Frederick William MacMonnies and from founder H. Rouard. This is a smaller version of the life-sized statue of Hale which is in New York City. The 21-year old Hale was captured by the British military while on an intelligence-gathering mission in New York City and executed in September 1776. His last words - "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" - solidified his status as an American hero. The statue shows Hale standing upright with palms facing outward and a rope or chain tied around his ankles. MacMonnies was an American sculptor and painter also known for portraits.

This portrait of Benjamin Franklin by artist Benjamin Wilson was displayed in the Roosevelt Room during the John F. Kennedy administration. Wilson's portrait is the earliest of the three portraits of Franklin in the White House Collection. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Franklin commissioned the portrait in 1758 while he was in London to argue for the right to tax the Penn family estate. Until the American Revolution, the painting hung in Franklin's Philadelphia home. However, while Franklin was in France, the home was occupied by British troops and one of them took the portrait when they left. It was returned to the United States via President Theodore Roosevelt by Albert Henry, the fourth Earl Grey in 1906, the bicentennial of Franklin's birth. In addition to being a painter, Wilson was an inventor who worked with electricity, much as Franklin did. This may account for the lightning bolt visible in the background of the portrait.

This painting depicts George Washington on horseback triumphantly entering Boston in 1776. The painting was completed in 1834 by an unknown artist. Washington served as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He served as president from April 30, 1789 until March 4, 1797.

This painting depicts George Washington accepting the surrender of British General Charles Cornwallis in 1781 after the battle of Yorktown. This painting was produced by Jean Zuber et Cie. of Rixheim, France in 1850. Zuber also produced the iconic wallpaper adorning the walls of the Diplomatic Reception Room that was installed by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. The room is located on the Ground Floor of the Executive Mansion. Washington served as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He served as president from April 30, 1789 until March 4, 1797.

This bust of Benjamin Franklin is by the National Porcelain Factory of Sèvres after the work of sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon. Franklin was a well-known author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Houdon was renowned for his busts of famous politicians of the time. This bust is made of unglazed porcelain. The factory was established in 1738 and became the royal factory in 1759. It remains closely tied to the French state today and is run by the Ministry of Culture.

This plaster bust by an unknown artist is of the Marquis de Lafayette around 1930. A French aristocrat, Lafayette is renowned for his allegiance with the United States during the American Revolutionary War and his friendships with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton, among others. Lafayette's 1824-1825 visits to the White House and to Washington, D.C. were among the highlights of his triumphal tour of the United States, as people honored the last surviving French general of the Revolutionary War and one of the last remaining living links to the Revolutionary Era.

This drawing of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 is by artist Charles-Edouard Armand-Dumaresq. The drawing is possibly a sketch or draft of Armand-Dumaresq's oil painting that is also in the White House Collection. The drawing depicts the delegates actively debating and voting on the Declaration. Armand-Dumaresq was a French painter who visited the United States in the 1870s.

This bust of Patrick Henry was done by Miskey and Merrill Warner. Patrick Henry was one of the Founding Fathers from Virginia, famous for opposing the Stamp Act of 1765 and for his March 23, 1775 speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses where he declared, "Give me liberty or give me death!" He was also the first and sixth governor of Virginia in the post-Colonial period.

This bust of Benjamin Franklin is by the National Porcelain Factory of Sèvres after the work of sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Houdon was renowned for his busts of famous politicians of the time. This bust is made of unglazed porcelain and rests atop a long, dark, marble column. The factory was established in 1738 and became the royal factory in 1759. It remains closely tied to the French state today and is run by the Ministry of Culture.

This glass and sulphide medallion of the Marquis de Lafayette was done by an unknown artist around 1850. A French aristocrat, Lafayette is renowned for his allegiance with the United States during the American Revolutionary War and his friendships with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton, among others. Lafayette's 1824-1825 visits to the White House and to Washington, D.C. were among the highlights of his triumphal tour of the United States, as people honored the last surviving French general of the Revolutionary War and one of the last remaining living links to the Revolutionary Era.

This bronze bust of Benjamin Franklin was done by an unknown artist around 1820. Franklin's head and shoulders rest on a tall, doric column. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. In the early to mid 19th century, establishment of a republican government in the U.S. patterned on Greek and Roman principles helped spur a revival of interest in classical forms and ideas in the fine arts.

This oil on glass portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette was done by an unknown artist in the early 19th century. A French aristocrat, Lafayette is renowned for his allegiance with the United States during the American Revolutionary War and his friendships with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton, among others. His 1824-1825 visits to the White House and to Washington, D.C. were among the highlights of his triumphal tour of the United States, as people honored the last surviving French general of the Revolutionary War and one of the last remaining living links to the Revolutionary Era.

This bust of the Marquis de Lafayette was created at the National Porcelain Factory of Sèvres after the work of sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon. Houdon was renowned for his busts of famous politicians of the time. This bust is made of unglazed porcelain and rests atop a long, dark, marble column. The factory was established in 1738 and became the royal factory in 1759. It remains closely tied to the French state today and is run by the Ministry of Culture. A French aristocrat, Lafayette is renowned for his allegiance with the United States during the American Revolutionary War and his friendships with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton, among others. Lafayette returned to France until an 1824-1825 visit to the United States. His stops at the White House and Washington, D.C. were among the highlights of his triumphal tour of the country, as people honored the last surviving French general of the Revolutionary War and one of the last remaining living links to the Revolutionary Era.

This portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Wilson is the earliest of the three portraits of Franklin in the White House Collection. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Franklin commissioned the portrait in 1758 while he was in London to argue for the right to tax the Penn family estate. Until the American Revolution, the painting hung in Franklin's Philadelphia home. However, while Franklin was in France, the home was occupied by British troops and one of them took the portrait when they left. It was returned to the United States via President Theodore Roosevelt by Albert Henry, the fourth Earl Grey in 1906, the bicentennial of Franklin's birth. In addition to being a painter, Wilson was an inventor who worked with electricity, much as Franklin did. This may account for the lightning bolt visible in the background of the portrait.

This portrait of Benjamin Franklin is by the French artist Gabriel Jacques de Saint-Aubin. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Franklin stands center, with almost his full back turned towards the viewer, in front of an easel holding a large folio or book.

This medallion depicting Benjamin Franklin was done by Giovan Battista Nini. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Born in Italy, Nini learned engraving and sculpture and eventually moved to France, where he became known for his terra-cotta medallion portraits like this one of Franklin.

This bust of Benjamin Franklin was done by Jean Antoine Houdon and photographed by Erik Kvalsvik. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Houdon was a prolific sculptor of notable Americans. Two of his works are in the White House Collection.