Artwork
Mrs. Schuyler Burning Her Wheat Fields on the Approach of the British
Mrs. Schuyler Burning Her Wheat Fields on the Approach of the British is an oil painting by the Hudson River School artist Emanuel Leutze. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Emanuel Leutze’s 1852 oil on canvas, titled Mrs. Schuyler Burning Her Wheat Fields on the Approach of the British, portrays a dramatic episode from the American Revolutionary War. The composition centers on a woman in a blue dress, torch in hand, igniting a wheat field as British forces draw near. The work is part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is identified as Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler, wife of General Philip Schuyler, depicted in an act of scorched‑earth defiance. By setting fire to the crops, the scene suggests a strategic sacrifice to deny resources to the advancing enemy, while a small group of onlookers—two children and a man—witness the sacrifice, underscoring themes of resolve and collective hardship.
Technique & Style
Leutze employs a vivid palette, contrasting the golden wheat with the orange‑red flames and the cool blues of the woman’s dress. The brushwork renders the smoke and smoldering stalks with a sense of movement, while the background recedes into muted hills and trees, creating depth and focusing attention on the central act of burning.
History & Provenance
Completed in 1852, the painting entered the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s holdings in the mid‑20th century. Its provenance traces back to private collections before being acquired by the museum, where it has been displayed as part of the institution’s American art holdings.
Context
The work reflects a broader 19th‑century American interest in Revolutionary War narratives, aligning with contemporary efforts to forge a national identity. The scorched‑earth tactic depicted mirrors historical strategies used in various conflicts, illustrating the harsh choices faced by civilians during wartime.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Emanuel Leutze grew up in America but moved to Germany as a teen, where he studied art in Düsseldorf.
