They repainted history!
Artists recreated a historic painting depicting politicians with the Declaration of Independence by decorating a wall in Williamsburg with a mural that portrays the pols’ descendants in a similar setting, and being part of the project was a no-brainer, according to a ninth-generation progeny of Thomas Jefferson portrayed in the artwork.
“I couldn’t pass up on such an opportunity,” said Shannon LaNier, a descendant of Jefferson and slave Sally Hemings who lives in the Bronx and is African American. “It’s time we truly see each other as equals, whatever our ethnicity.”
The mural at 22 N. 15th St. near N. 14th Street and Kent Avenue is inspired by “Declaration of Independence,” by American artist John Trumbull, which portrays founding fathers who include Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams presenting a draft of the declaration to Congress.
The original work of art has hung inside the United States Capitol Rotunda since 1826.
Its modern-day counterpart was commissioned by Ances
“What you see is a surprising and powerful look at how different the United States is today,” said Cathleen Hua.
“These descendants come from all walks of life, from African American and Hispanic to Filipino and Native American.”
Both male and female descendents are depicted in the mural, which was completed on July 3, in time to be viewed as Fourth of July fireworks lit the sky, and will be up through July 16, according to Hua.
