Final answer:
John Trumbull continued his career as a prominent American artist after his early acclaim. He made significant contributions to American historical art, both through his own paintings and by mentoring future artists like Thomas Cole. The correct answer is option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
After his time in the spotlight, John Trumbull remained active in the art world, continuing his career as a prominent American artist. He is best known for his historical paintings, which included portrayals of key moments in the American Revolution and figures such as George Washington. His influence persisted as he took an active role in the American Academy of Design, and he contributed significantly to America's visual historical record. Trumbull's legacy is enshrined in the rotunda of the United States Capitol, where his four historical paintings were installed as part of a commission he received in 1817.
These pieces captured the essence of American history at a time when the nation was still forming its cultural identity.
In addition to his continued painting career, Trumbull played a mentorship role to up-and-coming artists, as seen in his support for the artist Thomas Cole. Through his paintings and his promotional efforts with other artists, Trumbull helped to pave the way for a distinctly American style of art.
His work and influence in the art community stayed strong up until his death, and his legacy endures today in the depiction of American history through the visual arts.
Given this information, the correct option in final answer to the question 'What happened to John Trumbull after his time in the spotlight?' is: A) He continued his career as a prominent American artist, known for his historical paintings.