Artwork

Camp Ellsworth, Near Alexandria—Five Zouaves

Camp Ellsworth, Near Alexandria—Five Zouaves, by Emanuel Leutze, gouache, 1864
Camp Ellsworth, Near Alexandria—Five Zouaves, by Emanuel Leutze, gouache, 1864

Camp Ellsworth, Near Alexandria—Five Zouaves is a gouache drawing by the Impressionist artist Emanuel Leutze. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Camp Ellsworth, Near Alexandria—Five Zouaves is a drawing created by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze around 1864. It is executed in graphite and gouache on wove paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts five Union Army soldiers in Zouave uniforms at a camp near Alexandria during the American Civil War. The scene conveys a sense of informality and camaraderie among the soldiers, who are shown gathered around a fire.

Technique & Style

Leutze used a combination of graphite and gouache to capture the movement and life in the camp. The gouache, a soft and opaque paint, adds color and texture to the scene, while the graphite provides detail and definition.

Context

Leutze was a German-born American history painter associated with the Düsseldorf school, known for his historical compositions that often explored themes of conflict and national identity.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Emanuel Leutze

Artist

Emanuel Leutze

Emanuel Leutze grew up in America but moved to Germany as a teen, where he studied art in Düsseldorf.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.