Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-01-19

Public demand has resulted in the
restoration of LeutZe's famous painting
of Washington Crossing the Delaware"
to its old place. in the Metropolitan
Museum of Art at New York Its
artistic and historical merits are at
tackled in comments by the press, but
it's true value is seen in it's patriotic
significance.
The Cincinnati Times-Star has
already suggested that IF the Metro
politans space was too cramped there
were plenty of other museums in the
country which would have been only
too glad to have the loan of the pic
ture." In its discussion of the subject
the Cincinnati paper says: Even those
who have never seen the original have
been familiar since childhood with re-
productions of it in the school books,
on calendars and the like. Critics have,
of course, pointed cut that LeutZe's
drawing is faulty, and every man
familiar with boats has entertained
doubts concerning the ability even OF
! George Washington to stand up in
crowded boat menaced by choppy waves
and floating ice. What does it matter?
The picture is deservedly popular every
where because it is 'imaginatiVely true
to the character of washington and to
the stirring quality of his exploit"
1T is just as we'll that the Metro
politan OVERRIDE the higher criticism
and restored washington and his COM
panions in vivid paint to the place they
deserve" thinks the Hartford Times,
and that paper reveals: 1T became
known that the directors didn't consider
the picture 'arty' enough or historically
true Some contended that the Father
of His Country had more sense than
to stand up in a roWboat crossing a
river running wild in Wintertime.
However that may be, it didn't go over
with the periodically minded, and their
protests have resulted in the change in
decision of the directors. Whatever
highbrow opinion may be as to the
works place in art, it is as DEAR
through numerous reproductions in
school books and elsewhere, to Amer
leans as The Spirit of TO- 1t gave,
and still gives. thrill. to all who love
to dwell on the heroic struggles of the
founders of the Republic"
who doesn't recall the picture?" asks
the Toledo Blade. Washington, with
one foot upon the gunWale of the boat,
standing fearlessly and confident under
the shadow of the American flag pro-
vided there were shadows that day.
Well, it is argued, and with sane rea-
soning, that Washington was net so
foolish as to stand in the frau craft,
under the perilous circumstances while
his soldiers pushed the blocks of ice
aside And as for the flag it did not
exist at that time. Otherwise it was
good picture. If you are one who
thrilled to the painting, it is we'll to
remember that Washington was real,
the river was genuine and the crossing
was made in inclement weather The
facts are sufficient to patriotic admira-
ton"
Recollection has It," according to
the Newark Evening News, that this
never was regarded by artists as any
great shakes of a painting. There was
some controversy or criticism recently,
it is vaguely remembered, about the
type Of boat, the ways the soldiers
roWed. the way Washington stood in
that famous craft, or something. But
the painting will remain in the minds
eye as the authentic and moving de-
piction of momentous episode in
the Nations history. In this respect
it ranks with the Spirit of TO- and
Sheridans Ride
Maintaining that the faults of the
picture can not be taken as "of the
least seriousness" the New Orleans
Times Picayune offers tine comment on
its place in public esteem: THAT the
Leutze painting is of kind at pres