4.9/5
The Dramatic Struggle of George Washington on the Icy Delaware River
George Washington stands resolute near the bow of a wooden rowboat, his dark cloak lined with deep red. Behind him, a soldier holds a wind-blown flag against a pale, glowing sky. Greenish-white blocks of ice choke the cold river. Emanuel Leutze captured this American Revolution moment with detailed brushwork. Washington Crossing the Delaware is the title of three 1851 paintings by the artist. [1]
The Journey of Emanuel Leutze's Canvas to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The history of this image is as dramatic as the scene itself. The first version of the painting was destroyed in a British bombing raid in 1942. [1] Fortunately, the second full-sized version is on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. [1] Marshall O. Roberts bought this version in 1851 for $10,000. [2] John Stewart Kennedy later donated it to the museum in 1897. [3]
This version is signed and inscribed 'E. Leutze / Dusseldorf 1855'. [2] As a committed abolitionist, Emanuel Leutze included an African American man in the painting to highlight their role in the war. [4] He also featured a Native American figure at the back with fairly accurate Northeast Woodlands clothing details. [3]
Selecting Your Emanuel Leutze Reproduction and Frame
To bring this historical drama into your home, we offer a hand-painted washington crossing the delaware reproduction. Each piece is crafted brushstroke-by-stroke on museum-grade linen canvas. While a smaller third version sold at auction for $45 million in May 2022, our reproductions start from $299.95. [1] This dramatic work belongs alongside the most famous paintings of all time.
You can choose from seven sizes and various framing options to suit your wall. Seven sizes are listed, and the original proportion, or any size, can be commissioned on our request custom proportions page. We also offer other beautiful paintings of the Romantic era by Emanuel Leutze, a style focusing on intense emotion. These include Bird Nesting or Columbus Before the Queen. Explore every Emanuel Leutze reproduction to find your masterpiece.
Sources
- Washington Crossing the Delaware (1851 paintings) - Wikipedia
- File:Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, MMA-NYC, 1851.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
- Emanuel Leutze - Washington Crossing the Delaware - American - The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Leutze's Washington Crossing the Delaware - The American Revolution Institute
