Visual Art Blog
Washington Crossing the Delaware
By Emanuel Leutze
Argument: What is the price that was paid for our country’s freedom on the ordinary man who did that fighting?
Audience: Anyone who has an ounce of patriotism running in their blood.
Goal: To show the greatness of the men who fought for our freedom
How: This is a very emotional painting. The men struggling to break thru the ice so the boat can get over the river. Washington keeping his dignity as portrayed in his posture, the way his chin is held, his arms calmly folded across his chest. The flag is waving in the wind and the man holding it is struggling to keep it from falling into the water. So many of the men in the boat are represented with a different nationality symbolizing and coming together for a common cause. Also, the background shows the men and their boats coming out from the darkness where Washington’s boat is surrounded by light. Very emotional.
Although emotion is the strongest pull on this picture I think the credibility of having a strong leader like George Washington, the flag, the patriots who all fought, they all create a sense of credibility that makes this painting work. Anyone who has studied history will know that this painting is purely symbolic as so many of the elements were different in the reality of the events but because of the emotion involved, we give it a pass.
Effective: Of course, that is why I picked this picture. It makes the viewer feel that there is hope for the future, pride in what has been accomplished and gratitude for those who have sacrificed in giving this free country to us.
Washington Crossing the Delaware
By Emanuel Leutze
Argument: What is the price that was paid for our country’s freedom on the ordinary man who did that fighting?
Audience: Anyone who has an ounce of patriotism running in their blood.
Goal: To show the greatness of the men who fought for our freedom
How: This is a very emotional painting. The men struggling to break thru the ice so the boat can get over the river. Washington keeping his dignity as portrayed in his posture, the way his chin is held, his arms calmly folded across his chest. The flag is waving in the wind and the man holding it is struggling to keep it from falling into the water. So many of the men in the boat are represented with a different nationality symbolizing and coming together for a common cause. Also, the background shows the men and their boats coming out from the darkness where Washington’s boat is surrounded by light. Very emotional.
Although emotion is the strongest pull on this picture I think the credibility of having a strong leader like George Washington, the flag, the patriots who all fought, they all create a sense of credibility that makes this painting work. Anyone who has studied history will know that this painting is purely symbolic as so many of the elements were different in the reality of the events but because of the emotion involved, we give it a pass.
Effective: Of course, that is why I picked this picture. It makes the viewer feel that there is hope for the future, pride in what has been accomplished and gratitude for those who have sacrificed in giving this free country to us.
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