"Washington Crossing the Delaware" Etching by B.T. Babitt

This is a finely executed etching after the important early historical painting, “Washington Crossing the Delaware,” an oil-on-canvas by the German American artist Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze. This print was published by B.T. Babbitt, in the mid 19th century. It is an attractive, scaled down version of Leutze painting, with finely etched lines. In the bottom margin is a remarque of an American eagle with a “E Pluribus Unum” banner waving from its beak. 

Leutze's painting commemorates General George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River on the night of December 25–26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. That action was the first move in a surprise attack against the Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey, in the Battle of Trenton. As the end of 1776 came to a close, the American army was exhausted, depleted, and demoralized. The British had run revolutionary forces out of both New York and New Jersey. Knowing that the majority of the militia’s period of service was about to expire on the 31st of December, it was imperative that Washington craft a strategic and offensive next move. The surprise attack was successful, proving to be a major victory and providing the much-needed morale boost for Americans to re-enlist.

It is important to remember that Leutze was an artist and not a historian; the tradition of history painting in which he practiced attempted to portray the significance of events, not document them. The March 1851 issue of “The International Monthly” suggests how the public should view the painting: 

“...The picture reproduces the moment when the great general, ahead of the mass of the army, which had also just embarked, and part of which are passing off from the shore, and part already struggling with the driving ice, is steering to the opposite shore in a small boat, surrounded by eleven heroic figures, officers, farmers, soldiers, and boatmen. The tall and majestic form of the man in whose hands at that hour lay the fate of millions, rises from the group, standing slightly bent, forward, with one foot on the bottom of the boat, the other on the forward bench. His mild yet serious and commanding glance seems seeking to pierce the mist of the farther shore and discover the enemy, while intimations of the future grandeur of his country rise upon his mind.”

Leutze’s magnificent painting of “Washington Crossing the Delaware” was sold to the publishers Mssrs. Goupil in 1851 for seven thousand dollars, almost as soon as he began painting it. In the same year, Goupil began accepting subscriptions at a reduced price for an engraved version, intended to be the largest line engraving ever printed. Leutze’s painting of the crossing, and the numerous subsequent engravings of his painting, have made the composition the most iconic image of American Revolutionary history. The image was so ubiquitous that Mark Twain commented sardonically upon its presence over countless mantelpieces in Life on the Mississippi. Despite this, it has become increasingly difficult to find 19th century prints of the scene, due to steady and near constant interest and demand.

CONDITION:

Good condition overall. Etching, with eagle remarque in bottom center margin. Printed with the publisher's line in the upper left corner, "From B. T. Babbitt." A nice impression. Paper has light toning, small tear along left side margin, not into the image. Paper measures 10 ¾” H  x 23 ½” W. 

Etching has been archivally framed with acid-free mats, UV Conservation Clear glass, and a custom-built wooden frame. 

Dimensions: 17 3/4" H x 31 1/8" W x 1 1/2" D.

Accompanied by our company’s letter of authenticity.