Artwork

Men in Seventeenth-Century Costumes [recto]

Men in Seventeenth-Century Costumes [recto], by Emanuel Leutze, graphite, 1854
Men in Seventeenth-Century Costumes [recto], by Emanuel Leutze, graphite, 1854

Men in Seventeenth-Century Costumes [recto] is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Emanuel Leutze. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Men in Seventeenth-Century Costumes (recto) is a graphite drawing on laid paper created by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze circa 1854.

About this work

Overview

Men in Seventeenth-Century Costumes (recto) is a graphite drawing on laid paper created by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze circa 1854. The work features multiple figures attired in 17th-century clothing.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing showcases Leutze's penchant for historical themes, specifically focusing on the attire of the 1600s. This subject matter aligns with his broader artistic interests in European and American historical narratives.

Technique & Style

Executed in graphite on laid paper, the drawing demonstrates Leutze's skill in a medium often used for preparatory work, though the Düsseldorf school's influence on the piece's style is not immediately distinct from Leutze's typical historical painting approach.

History & Provenance

Created around 1854 by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, a German-born American artist, the drawing's subsequent ownership history is not detailed in available information.

Context

This work reflects Leutze's period of interest in detailed historical representation, contemporaneous with his more famed large-scale historical paintings like *Washington Crossing the Delaware*.

Legacy

While *Men in Seventeenth-Century Costumes* may not be as renowned as Leutze's monumental history paintings, it contributes to the understanding of his thorough approach to historical research and depiction.

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.