Like all other forms of art, painting is intended to convey knowledge that the viewer can identify with and comprehend. The knowledge that an artist wants to convey through different types of paintings comes from a variety of events.
Inspiration from Historical Events
Numerous famous artworks have drawn inspiration from historical events. It makes little difference that Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze was motivated to create the painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware River by a real occurrence that took place on the night of December 25–26, 1776 (Urwin, 2017).
American Revolutionary War
During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington and the continental army planned the event. The continental army led by George Washington suffered various losses when they were in the battle with the British troops and the Hessian forces. According to George Washington, the Hessians were German mercenaries hired by the King of England (Thayer, 1922). As a result, the Hessians were fighting for a cause that they did not believe in just to earn a penny from the German government. During the American Revolution War, approximately thirty thousand soldiers in the British army in America were Hessians being paid for their activities in the war (Thayer, 1922).
The British Army's Numbers
The total number of the British army fleet led by Howe were twenty-five thousand men who passed Sandy Hook and sailed up to New York Harbor. At that time, the American army which was led by Washington was nominally nineteen thousand men. However, this number was reduced to ten thousand men due to the detachment of several thousand men to the guard Boston and other several thousand to take part in the struggle in Canada (Thayer, 1922).
The Battle of Staten Island
The British army had camped in Staten Island. In this location, they had the comfort of having nature sheltering them from attack. At this time, the two armies were on the verge of beginning to fight. General Sullivan was forced to surrender because he had already lost eleven or twelve thousand men. George Washington witnessed the attack and surrendering of General Sullivan from Brooklyn, but he was unable to assist Sullivan. On August 29, George Washington commandeered every boat and retreated from the Island across from New York side to secrecy such that the British army did not notice (Thayer, 1922). The result of this battle left Americans depressed while the British were exalted for their victory.
The "Battle of White Plains"
On October 28, the British troops nearly succeeded in surrounding the American army which was being led by George Washington. Although they suffered a severe loss during the process, the British troops were able to win the "Battle of White Plains". However, George Washington was able to escape with a small percentage of about six thousand men of his army from the clasps of Lord Howe (Thayer, 1922). After the win of the "Battle of White Plains", the British were sure and awakened of the possibility of winning the war. As a result, they decided to supply their army with the necessary provisions and ammunition that they could use to defeat what they considered an undisciplined, ill-equipped, and badly nourished Americans (Urwin, 2017).
Retreating and the Battle of Trenton
After the Battle of White Plains, George Washington retreated and pushed the remaining men he had. Following their loss to the British troops, Washington had around five thousand men only for the war (Thayer, 1922). However, these men were the best, most seasoned, and hardiest fighters of the American army. At this time, the British troops who were with larger numbers were centered in Trenton, and Washington planned to come near them and watch their movements. The next target for the British forces was Philadelphia where the continental congress had fled quietly to Baltimore after voting. However, George Washington and his troops remained on the west bank of Delaware River above Trenton. The British army had stretched the lines of its forces very far and thin. Washington had this information, and he separated his troops into three bodies where he commanded one of the bodies. He was able to cross the river in boats during the night of Christmas and safely landed on the eastern shore (Urwin, 2017). After landing on the eastern shore, George Washington and his forces had to march for nine miles before reaching Trenton. However, when they reached Trenton, they were able to surprise Colonel Rall and his garrison of Hessians. Washington and his army were able to capture thousands of Hessians who had surrendered after being surmised by the attack (Urwin, 2017). Winning the Battle of Trenton was enormous for George Washington and the American because this was the first time that they had beaten the superior British forces and in a town of their choosing (Thayer, 1922). The result of this victory did not only empower the force but also the population of New Jersey who bethought that they might have chosen the wrong side of the war.
Enhanced Understanding of the Painting
Following this research on the history and the context of the painting of George Washington crossing the river, one's understanding of this painting is enhanced in several ways. The first and most important knowledge that an individual can get from the painting is that it symbolizes American liberation from the British colony. New Jersey just like many parts of America had already surrendered and aligned themselves to the British troops. However, the surprise attack that was mounted by George Washington and his few troops on the nighty and superior British forces awakened many Americans. Furthermore, an individual can understand the role that George Washington and his troops played towards the liberation of America by crossing the Delaware River. Therefore, the historical context of this painting can enhance a better understanding of the painting.
References
Thayer, W. R. (1922). George Washington. Houghton Mifflin.
Urwin, G. J. (2017). Trenton, Battle of. In World Book Advanced. Retrieved fromhttp://www.worldbookonline.com.proxy.library.ohiou.edu/advanced/article?id=ar566100
