Waterman Lilly Ormsby
1809 - 1883
Waterman Lilly Ormsby (1809–1883) was a prominent American line engraver, author, and inventor. Ormsby's masterpiece is his monumental 1876 engraving The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, widely considered one of the finest derivative prints of John Trumbull’s iconic 1818 historical painting. Published by Cole & Co. in Brooklyn to mark the United States Centenary, Ormsby’s large-format steel-plate engraving meticulously reproduces the moment the drafting committee presented the text to the Second Continental Congress. Ormsby sourced his design from Asher Brown Durand’s celebrated 1823 engraving, translating Trumbull's grand composition with exceptional tonal depth and rich line work. A distinguishing feature of Ormsby's version is the inclusion of an etched key along the bottom margin, detailing the names and facial placement of forty-two historical participants sketched from life. Combining patriotic fervor with technical mastery, this print solidified Ormsby's legacy as a premier nineteenth-century craftsman