You’ve probably seen the painting of George Washington above. He stands precariously on the bow of a tiny rowboat at daybreak. Frantically rowing soldiers surround Washington, and huge ice floes cover the river.
Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware is one of U.S. history’s most famous paintings. German-born Leutze grew up in America and returned to Germany as an adult, where he completed the painting in 1851—nearly 100 years after the historic event. The striking composition and dramatic lighting evoke a sense of patriotism, suspense, and courage. But how much of Leutze’s depiction of the historical event is true?
Washington did lead his army across the Delaware River in December 1776 to launch a surprise attack against Hessian forces. It was a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War. But the real crossing looked very little like Leutze’s painting. The Continental Army crossed the Delaware in the middle of the night, not at dawn. The river—and its icebergs—are based on Germany’s much larger Rhine River, not the Delaware. The boats they used to cross the river were bigger than Leutze’s depiction. And Washington was only 44 when he crossed the river; he looks much older in the painting.
Of course, paintings are works of art, and artists often add imaginary elements. Leutze probably had deeper reasons for his creative decisions. Why might he have chosen to glorify Washington and the event in this way? How does his depiction shape the way we understand this historical event? Do the historical inaccuracies matter? Why or why not?