Saturday, March 10, 2012

Jeff's Met Picks: Leutze

George Washington: Man, Myth, Monument
Washington Crossing the Delaware
Emanuel Leutze  (American, Schwäbisch Gmünd 1816–1868 Washington, D.C.)



Yup! This is where it is!

Leutze's painting, in an age of limited media, made Washington a rock-star. And did much to promote his prestige, both actual and mythological, throughout the world. As an iconic painting, it is rife with factual inaccuracies. Among them: They are crossing the wrong way, it is daylight when they they in fact, crossed at night, the flag in not the flag Washington carried into battle, and Washington is standing. Not a good idea in a small boat. Fun fact: The figure behind Washington is future President James Monroe! I love this painting. And, if you didn't know, it is GYNORMOUS!

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