Declaration of Independence (1776 Series) two of three

These three polychrome reliefs from Cook’s multi-year "1776 Series" reference H. A. Ogden’s and John Trumbull’s iconic history paintings of the adoption and signing of the Declaration of Independence. Prints after the paintings circulated widely as the United States approached its 150th anniversary in 1926. Carved in poplar with a jackknife, chisel, and drill, the panels serve as detailed theatrical settings, each with a proscenium arch and con-forming raked frame. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, Cook’s three reliefs offer a poignant rumination on the ideals written in the document, the political and social realities of our time, and the role of art in shaping how societies commemorate moments in history.