Inspired by Emanuel Leutze - Washington Crossing the Delaware
There are three versions of this painting. The first was painted when Leutze lived in Germany. It was damaged during a fire in his studio, but was subsequently restored. It was acquired by the Kunsthalle Bremen, but during World War II, it was destroyed in a British Royal Air Forcebombing raid FDR said the raid was Britain's final retaliation for the American Revolution. A full-sized replica of the first canvas, was painted and
placed on exhibition in New York in 1851. At this showing Marshall 0. Roberts, collector and Board member of the Met, bought the canvas for the then enormous sum of $10,000. There was an additional copy painted, which is in the West Wing of the White House. It was recently sold for $45,000,000
One of the bow oarsmen is Black. He is probably William Lee who was Washington’s slave and at his side through most of the revolution. He was the only one of Washington’s slaves set free by decree in Washington’s will.This boat is filled with hardened militiamen. America’s woodsman gone to war. But they are all clean-shaven, there is not a whisker on any face. Also, this American Flag did not exist at the time of the crossing. It was designed six months later.
To see original: https://bit.ly/4aJCGSk
