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 Gottlieb Leutze. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Emanuel Leutze’s 1852 oil on canvas, titled Mrs.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition frames Schuyler’s action not merely as destruction but as a calculated, patriotic measure to hinder enemy advancement.
The painting depicts Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler, a prominent American patriot, setting fire to her own wheat fields to deny resources to approaching British troops during the American Revolutionary War. This act of scorched-earth strategy symbolizes sacrifice and defiance in the face of invasion, reinforcing themes of resistance and self-denial for the broader revolutionary cause.
The inclusion of scorched earth, the woman’s determined gesture, and the presence of military indicators such as the horse and dog underscore the urgency and personal cost of the Revolutionary struggle. The composition frames Schuyler’s action not merely as destruction but as a calculated, patriotic measure to hinder enemy advancement.
Technique & Style
Emanuel Leutze executed Mrs. Schuyler Burning Her Wheat Fields on the Approach of the British in 1852 using oil paint applied to a canvas support. Classified as a history painting, the work depicts a dramatic scene involving scorched earth, wheat, and figures from the American Revolutionary War. The composition includes specific elements such as a dog, a horse, and a tree, alongside the central figure of Catherine Van Rensselaer. The physical dimensions of the canvas measure 32 inches in height and 40 inches in width.
History & Provenance
Emanuel Leutze created the history painting Mrs. Schuyler Burning Her Wheat Fields on the Approach of the British in 1852. Executed in oil on canvas, the work depicts Catherine Van Rensselaer during the American Revolutionary War. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Emanuel Leutze's 1852 oil painting, Mrs. Schuyler Burning Her Wheat Fields on the Approach of the British, is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles. The work is executed on canvas and measures 32 cm in height by 40 cm in width. While the painting depicts a scene from the American Revolutionary War involving Catherine Van Rensselaer and scorched earth, the provided sources do not list a specific inventory or accession number for the piece. Additionally, the available documentation does not record a history of exhibitions for this artwork.
The painting remains a history painting within the museum's holdings, focusing on the dramatic moment of destroying wheat fields to prevent their capture by British forces.
Legacy
The painting has become emblematic of artistic responses to historical conflict, cited in scholarly discussions of 19th-century American history painting. Its dramatic depiction of domestic resistance influenced later artists exploring themes of national identity and upheaval. The work remains on view at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where it continues to inform interpretations of antebellum visual culture.
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.
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 Gottlieb Leutze (May 24, 1816 – July 18, 1868) was a German-born American history painter, best known for his 1851 painting Washington Crossing the Delaware. He is associated with the Düsseldorf school of painting.
