Just as stage designers use lighting to spotlight a performer, painters will often highlight important elements in paintings. The standing group in the center of the boat is surrounded by light. This effect keeps our attention focused on the main aspects of the historic event: that General George Washington would become the first president and that this event would culminate in the country's separation from England, symbolized by the American flag.
There is something unusual about the way Leutze uses light in this painting. Can you tell from which direction the source of the light in the painting is coming?
It is hard to answer this question, because there are two sources of light in this painting. If Washington is crossing the Delaware River from west to east at dawn, the sun should be rising on the left side of the painting. This explains why Washington's profile is illuminated, but not the side of his face.
But there are also shadows that seem to be coming from another light source. Both details below show a shadow effect not created by the sun rising in the east.
Click on them to see more.
