Treaty of Paris, 1783

Paul Manship’s relief is one of several the sculptor created to commemorate episodes from the Revolutionary War (see also 1966.47.143, 1966.47.144, 1966.47.145, and 1966.47.136).  Manship’s papers indicate that these reliefs were designed for a projected “Hall of History,” but research has not revealed where or when that project was to appear. The Treaty of Paris, adopted on September 3, 1783, declared the United States independent from Great Britain and ended the Revolutionary War. The design shows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay signing the document for the United States. The seated figure at the opposite end of the table may represent David Hartley, a member of the British Parliament, who signed on behalf of Great Britain.