Washington at the Delaware 1849

"Washington at the Delaware" was painted by Edward Hicks, an American folk painter of the 1800s, using oil on canvas. The artist's hand is very evident in the way the paint is applied, particularly in the sky, which has broad brushstrokes. The same is true for the figures in the foreground, where the paint is applied in layers to give the figures depth and dimension. Oil paint is a slow-drying medium, which allowed Hicks to blend the colors seamlessly and create a sense of atmosphere. Hicks made this image at a time when America was defining its identity and values, and he was a Quaker minister, deeply committed to his faith, and a keen observer of the world around him. Hicks brings together fine art and craft as he was also a coach painter, which was seen as craft work. Paintings like this force us to think about how materials, making, and context converge to shape our understanding of art and culture.