Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Washington Reviewing Our Ally--the French--1781 |
Object Number |
M.2021.006a |
Object Type |
Painting |
Artist/Creator |
Henry Alexander Ogden (1856-1936) |
Date |
Late 19th-early 20th century |
Place of Origin |
United States of America |
Description |
Rectangular watercolor-and-gouache-on-paper painting titled "Washington Reviewing Our Ally--the French--1781" by Henry Alexander Ogden (1856-1936), late 19th-early 20th century. Scene depicts the review of French troops by George Washington and other generals at Dobbs Ferry, New York, on July 8, 1781. A large column of French soldiers of the Soissonnais Regiment march on a dirt road on the left half of the scene. Each French soldier wears a white uniform with pale red facings and a black hat. Most soldiers carry a musket with fixed bayonet. In the fourth row from the left, three French officers wear a gold-toned gorget and a gold-hilted sword and carry the regimental colors angled forward. In the grass on the right half of the painting is a group of mounted officers facing the marching troops. At the far left of the group is Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne (1741-1791), French minister to the United States. To his right is General George Washington (1732-1799), commander in chief of the Continental Army, holding his hat in his right hand above his head in salute. To Washington's right is Lieutenant General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, commander of the French army. Behind Washington are Major General Benjamin Lincoln (1733-1810) and Brigadier General Henry Knox (1750-1806) of the Continental Army. At the far right of the group is Brigadier General Armand Louis de Gontaut, duc de Lauzun (1747-1793), commander of Lauzun's Legion of the French army, saluting the soldiers with his right hand. A line of Continental Army soldiers is visible standing on the opposite side of the marching French troops, with an American flag of red-and-white stripes and a blue canton with a circle of white stars. An encampment of white tents is set up on a hill in the background. A paper label on the back of the painting has typed text: "WASHINGTON REVIEWING OUR ALLY -- THE FRENCH -- 1781. / On July 10, 1781, a grand review was held by / Washington of the French regiments encamped near / Dobbs Ferry. / Washington with Rochambeau and the French / Minister, Luzerne, are saluting the colors of the / "Soissonnais" regiment as they pass. / Behind Washington are his generals, Lincoln / and Knox. / The Duc de Lauzun commanding the French / Hussars, is at the extreme right." The artist signed at the bottom right of the label in graphite, "HA Ogden". In a rectangular painted wood frame (b). |
Materials |
Watercolor/Gouache/Paper |
Dimensions |
25 3/8" h x 33 3/8" w |
Credit Line |
Museum purchase, 2021 |