Loyalists and Sons of Liberty: America 250 at Yale Center for British Art

Explore the complex perspectives surrounding the American Revolution in Loyalists and Sons of Liberty: America 250, a free exhibition at the Yale Center for British Art from May 6 through December 31, 2026. On view in the museum’s fourth-floor galleries and Study Room, the display examines the struggle for American independence through artworks created by British- and American-born artists.

Featuring paintings, prints, drawings, and sculptures by artists including Benjamin West, John Singleton Copley, and Gilbert Stuart, the exhibition looks beyond the familiar division between patriots and loyalists. The works reveal how the Revolution divided communities, tested relationships across the Atlantic, and inspired competing visions for the colonies’ future.

Visitors can encounter portraits of historical figures such as King George III, Queen Charlotte, and General Charles Cornwallis, alongside depictions of other military and political figures whose stories shaped the period. The exhibition also highlights supporters of the American cause in Britain and works intended to express loyalty to the British monarchy and empire.

Admission is free. Visitors can explore works featured in the exhibition through the museum’s online collection at https://britishart.yale.edu/exhibitions-programs/loyalists-and-sons-liberty-america-250.