jan 1, 2011 - Washington’s Crossing | Mort Künstler

Description:

Mort Künstler (born 1927) is an American artist known for his accurate painting of historical events, especially the American Civil War. Today he is considered the "best-known and most respected historical artist in the country."
His version of Washington Crossing the Delaware was made in 2011, commissioned by American congressman Tom Suozzi. Mort and Tom went to visit both towns on either side of the Delaware River (both towns are named Washington Crossing), to ask local historians what the crossing would actually look like. In this painting, gone are the rowboats, instead painted flat boats packed with standing troops who are carrying torches, horses and cannons. Künstler captures the wires strung from the sides of the river, affixed to the boats, and instead of oars, some of the troopers are using poles to navigate. Instead of the dramatic icebergs, appear the more realistic ice sheets covering the river, and Washington is placed in the most secure spot at the front of the boat.

Some improvements made:
Instead of the inaccurate boats, he drew flat packed boats with standing troops, horses and cannons. + added the wires that had been strung from one side of the river to the other.
Rather than oars, you see some troops using poles to navigate.
Eliminated the icebergs and opted for the more accurate ice sheets instead.
The crossing was made in a snowstorm, it was dark - so he made it look that way. He talked to a historian and the historian told him a torch is fine, as they most likely used that.
Instead of the dangerous spot Washington was once standing in, he is in the front of the boat but balancing himself on a fastened cannon.

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