Washington's Crossing

 

Washington Crossing the Delaware is a very famous painting. Its use in popular culture probably even led to a contest to pick the best George Washington impersonator to re-enact the crossing every year. Watch this video to find out more about the contest. 

Being George

After watching the video, lets look at the paining. What do you see? Can you find any historical inconsistencies? You can find more information about the painting of Leutze's Washington Crossing the Delaware.

Emanuel Leutze "Washington Crossing the Delaware "

The painting creates a lot of questions. Why was this painted? Is it historically accurate? Who is the artist Emanuel Leutze? Check out the article below to find out these answers.

https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-iconic-american-history-painting-facts-wrong

Assignment 

In the comment section of this post answer the following questions:

1. In "Being George" why do you think portraying George Washington is so important to the contestants?
2. Why did Leutze paint "Washington Crossing the Delaware"? 
3. Identify three historical inaccuracies in the painting. 
4. Should art be historically accurate? Explain why or why not. 

Copy and paste the following frame for your comment:

1. Portraying George Washington is important to the contestants because
2. Leutze painted "Washington Crossing the Delaware" because
3. Three historical inaccuracies in the painting are
4. Yes, art should be historically accurate because/No, art should not be historically accurate because 

EQ: 

• Should artists have a responsibility to make their art historically accurate?

Engage:

• Fred Armiston Art Afficionado (2:58)

Explore:

• Being George: The real-life drama in the contest to re-enact Washington crossing the Delaware (39 min)
• The students will examine the painting Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emmanuel Leutze

Explain:

• The students will examine pop culture homages to the painting. We will also discuss how the painting has been used for political reasons.

Evaluate:

• In "Being George" why do you think portraying George Washington is so important to the contestants?
• Why did Leutze paint "Washington Crossing the Delaware"? 
• Identify three historical inaccuracies in the painting. 
• Should art be historically accurate? Explain why or why not.