George Washington Crossing the Delaware

Analyze

Describe

Interpret

-crowded
-George Washington and men traveling in a boat
-army in the background
-American flag whipping in the wind
-stormy, restless waves
-implied and edge lines
-organic and invented shapes
-negative background

-sky all dark except behind George, as if to emphasize his glory
-the boat dominates the picture....anything behind it gets lost unless you force your eye to look behind
-focal point is George
-oars lead you down into the ocean
-asymmetrically balanced; everything comes in from the right
-counter-balancing elements

George Washington makes the picture. The pure essence of powerful, he stands strong and true to face whatever challenges may come. Around him the faces seem panicky, frantic, fearful of war, only going because they are lead by such an incredible man. However, he remains solid and confident, an everlasting symbol of the spirit of America. The sky is dark, the waves are rough, but around his face is a beacon of light, as if to emphasize the hope and defiance of a determined people.

Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze
1851