Washington Crossing The Delaware Analysis
In Washington Crossing the Delaware (1851) by Emanuel Leutze (1816-1868), we see then a general in the American Revolutionary War, crossing the Delaware River with his troops on the night of Dec. 25, 1776. The crossing instantly advanced Washington's surprise attack on the Hessian forces in the Battle of Trenton. Although the painting portrays a historic part of the American Revolution, it isn’t just a representational work of the success of the American general or the history of the American Revolution. The painting is a political work of art that relates equally to various struggles during the revolutions of 1848 in Europe. The painting is a symbol of fighting for an honorable cause depict the great odds – not just in America, but everywhere.
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An organization of 39 German states to replace the abolished Holy Roman Empire. A loose political association, formed for mutual defense, with no central executive or judiciary. According to Richard Hudson’s, “The Formation of the North German Confederation”, “The most formidable obstacle in the way of national unity was the rivalry between the two most powerful states of the confederation” (424). The failure of the 1848 revolutions and revolts were due to liberals and radical rebels alienating each other over their goals. This division lead the dominant government to regain control and stop the rebellions. Even as a beginner history painter Leutze showed a fondness for affected theatrical interpretations of subjects having to do with …show more content…
According to David Fischer’s, Washington’s Crossing, “When the Civil War began, it was used to raise money for the Union Cause and the antislavery movement. The presence of an African American in the boat was not an accident; the artist was a strong abolitionist” (Fischer 4).
Possibly Leutze’s best-known work, Washington Crossing the Delaware, besides its several inaccuracies, that were more intentional rather than mistakes, became a symbol of American nationalism. As mentioned before, its original intention and purpose was to motivate Germans who were defeated. Ironically, later the painting was also used to bring together a nation that was again, during the Civil War, being torn apart. Moreover, the painting draws an emotional response and while there were many other scenes inspiring freedom, Leutze’s painting accomplished that
An organization of 39 German states to replace the abolished Holy Roman Empire. A loose political association, formed for mutual defense, with no central executive or judiciary. According to Richard Hudson’s, “The Formation of the North German Confederation”, “The most formidable obstacle in the way of national unity was the rivalry between the two most powerful states of the confederation” (424). The failure of the 1848 revolutions and revolts were due to liberals and radical rebels alienating each other over their goals. This division lead the dominant government to regain control and stop the rebellions. Even as a beginner history painter Leutze showed a fondness for affected theatrical interpretations of subjects having to do with …show more content…
According to David Fischer’s, Washington’s Crossing, “When the Civil War began, it was used to raise money for the Union Cause and the antislavery movement. The presence of an African American in the boat was not an accident; the artist was a strong abolitionist” (Fischer 4).
Possibly Leutze’s best-known work, Washington Crossing the Delaware, besides its several inaccuracies, that were more intentional rather than mistakes, became a symbol of American nationalism. As mentioned before, its original intention and purpose was to motivate Germans who were defeated. Ironically, later the painting was also used to bring together a nation that was again, during the Civil War, being torn apart. Moreover, the painting draws an emotional response and while there were many other scenes inspiring freedom, Leutze’s painting accomplished that