Famous Paintings (some with a 'twist')

I was thinking about something we saw on our recent tour/vacation and wanted to share and ask for other examples. In the painting depicted we see the presentation of the Declaration of Independence to Congress, but has anyone noticed a few 'oddities"? The name of the short dumpy looking fellow in the center escapes me and hopefully one of our resident Historians can identify him. It was pointed out to me that this fellow made a huge ruckus about his being in a "Prominent" position due to his 'Community Standing'. His egotistical attitude did not sit well with the artist, John Trumbull, but never the less he got his wishes fulfilled. You will see that he is standing with his hand on his hip, the only member doing so, as to say "I'm important". Also he is shown to have a substantial 'mid-section' compared to all the others. His lack of hair is displayed more prominently, and the kicker, Look at Thomas Jefferson's right foot. Jefferson is standing deliberately on his left foot!



Looks like it is John Adams ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signing_of_the_Declaration_of_Independence ) and the foot is not "directly" on the foot.

 

Here is another; Scene at The Signing of The Constitution of The United States. The artist Howard Chandler Christy painted the picture in 1940 and not knowing what each member actually looked like used his own image for many in the group. Look under the three upraised arms on the left side and directly below. There appears to be a face floating over the shoulder of the man with the long white hair. Supposedly of Christy the artist. These two descriptions of the pictures are just conjectures and ideas put forth but interesting as to how and why.

 

I think you are correct in the first picture. The "dumpy" guy is Adams. He was not the most svelte of people.