Artwork

Worthington Whittredge

Worthington Whittredge, by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, oil, 1856
Worthington Whittredge, by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, oil, 1856

Worthington Whittredge is an oil painting by the Hudson River School artist Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze. It dates from 1856 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Worthington Whittredge, an American painter, sits in a relaxed pose with a serious look, his face lifted from a dark ground. Leutze worked in loose, visible brushstrokes rather than fine detail, catching the light on the forehead and beard in a way that feels modern for 1856.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays the landscape painter Worthington Whittredge as a formal portrait executed by Emanuel Leutze in 1856.

The painting portrays the landscape painter Worthington Whittredge as a formal portrait executed by Emanuel Leutze in 1856. Rendered in oil on canvas, the work measures 129.2 × 102.9 cm and belongs to the portrait genre, emphasizing the sitter's likeness and status. As a portrait in The American Wing collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it functions to record and commemorate the individual, reflecting the conventions of 19th-century portraiture that sought to convey dignity and social identity through realistic representation.

Technique & Style

Worthington Whittredge is executed in oil paint on a stretched canvas support, standard for mid-19th-century portraiture. Recorded as an oil on canvas in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's catalog, it measures 129.2 by 102.9 cm and belongs to the American Wing's portrait holdings. Leutze's handling displays smooth brushwork and careful modeling of the sitter's features, while the composition emphasizes a straightforward, dignified pose, with naturalistic rendering, a muted palette, and balanced lighting.

History & Provenance

Executed in 1856, this oil-on-canvas portrait depicts the painter Worthington Whittredge. The work was created by Emanuel Leutze as the sole creator. While specific details regarding a commission or an ownership chain prior to its current location are not provided in the available records, the painting is part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within The American Wing.

The work measures approximately 129.2 by 102.9 centimeters. The museum's catalog records the work, though the specific accession number is not published in the consulted documentation, and the available sources do not list any exhibitions dedicated to it.

Overview

Emanuel Leutze's oil on canvas portrait depicts the American artist Worthington Whittredge. The painting captures Whittredge in a contemplative, relaxed posture, set against a subdued background that emphasizes his features. This work offers insight into the artistic circles of its era, presenting a fellow painter through a distinct visual approach.

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Artist & collection

Portrait of Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze

Artist

Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze

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.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Worthington Whittredge?

Worthington Whittredge was painted by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze in 1856.

Where can I see Worthington Whittredge?

Worthington Whittredge is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Worthington Whittredge?

Worthington Whittredge is associated with Hudson River School.