Studies for "Washington Crossing the Delaware" [recto] 1849

Emanuel Leutze made this preparatory drawing for his famous painting "Washington Crossing the Delaware" using graphite on paper. This medium offered the artist an immediate way to capture initial ideas and work through compositional challenges. The focus here on Washington's head allows us to consider the material properties of graphite. Notice how Leutze varies the pressure to create a range of tones, building up shadows to define Washington’s face and fur hat. The strokes are quick, almost nervous, conveying the urgency of the depicted historical moment. Graphite, easily erased and reworked, allowed Leutze the flexibility to refine his vision. Drawings such as these highlight the often-unseen labor behind iconic artworks. While the final painting presents a heroic vision, this sketch reveals the artist’s process of experimentation. Appreciating the materiality and methods invites us to consider how this informs the narratives and cultural impact of this artwork.