Washington Crossing the Delaware – Evening Previous to the Battle of Trenton, December 5th, 1776

Art Historical Context

This vibrant hand-colored lithograph by Currier & Ives captures a defining moment of the American Revolution: George Washington leading his troops across the icy Delaware River on the evening of December 5, 1776, just before the surprise attack on Hessian forces at Trenton. The scene brims with drama—soldiers in boats, flags waving defiantly against a stormy sky—evoking the peril and resolve that turned the tide of the war. Washington's bold crossing boosted Continental Army morale during a bleak winter campaign, securing a much-needed victory and symbolizing American resilience. Produced bet...