- The famous painting was by German-American artist Emanuel Leutze in his Dusseldorf, Germany studio in 1850-51. Leutze grew up in America and then returned to his homeland. He painted it after the failed Revolution of 1848 in the hope that it would inspire liberal reforms. It was first displayed in New York City and then in the Capitol Rotunda. It was bought for the huge sum of $10,000, changed hands several times, and ended up being donated to the New York Museum of Art.
- There are two future Presidents in the painting – Washington and Monroe (holding the flag).
- Mistakes in the painting:
– the flag was not adopted until a year later
– the boats were much bigger at 40-60 feet long
– the men would not have had their guns in the air because the barrels would have gotten wet
– most experts argue no one would have been standing, but some point out that the actual boats were large and standing would have been a better option that sitting with water in the bottom
- The plan was actually for three crossings. Col. Cadwalader was to cross with 1,800 men to block reinforcements from marching to Trenton. Gen. Ewing was to cross with 800 to block a Hessian retreat from Trenton. The weather gave these two forces the excuse to not cross.
- Besides 2,400 soldiers, the boats carried 18 cannons and their horses. Plus horses for some of the officers.
- The temperature hovered around freezing. Rain turned to sleet which turned to snow.
- The boats were called Durham boats and were used for transporting iron ore and bulk goods. The boatmen were a special regiment led by Col. John Glover. Earlier, the Marbleheaders had evacuated Washington’s army from Long Island, thus saving the Revolution.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Crossing_the_Delaware_(1851_painting)
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