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.

History

Leutze began the first version in 1849. In 1850, this version was damaged by fire in his studio, subsequently restored, and acquired by the Kunsthalle Bremen. In 1942, during the Second World War, it was destroyed in a bombing raid.

Related Topics:
1849 - 1850 - Kunsthalle Bremen - 1942 - Second World War - Bombing raid

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The second version, which Leutze began in 1850, was finally placed on exhibition in New York in October, 1851. It was originally bought by Marshall O. Roberts for $10,000 (at the time, an enormous sum). After changing ownership several times, it was finally obtained by John S. Kennedy, who donated it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It remains on exhibition there as of 2005.

Related Topics:
1850 - New York - John S. Kennedy - Metropolitan Museum of Art - As of 2005

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