Washington Crossing the Delaware

Washington Crossing the Delaware is an 1851 oil-on-canvas painting by Emanuel Leutze. It is in commemoration of Washington's crossing of the Delaware on December 25, 1776 during the American Revolutionary War. In doing so, they surprised the Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey in the Battle of Trenton.

Composition

The painting is notable for its artistic composition. Washington is emphasized by an unnaturally bright sky, while his face catches the upcoming sun. The colors consist of mostly dark tones, as is to be expected at dawn, but there are red highlights repeated throughout the painting. Foreshortening, perspective and the distant boats all lend depth to the painting and emphasize the boat carrying Washington.

Related Topics:
Composition - Foreshortening - Perspective

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