New York City and Washington, D.C. Emanuel Leutze

grave of emanuel leutze @ glenwood cemetery.

in 1859, leutze returned united states , opened studio in new york city. divided time between new york city , washington, d.c. in 1859, painted portrait of chief justice roger brooke taney hangs in harvard law school. in 1992 opinion, justice antonin scalia described portrait of taney, made 2 years after taney s infamous decision in dred scott v. sandford, showing taney in black, sitting in shadowed red armchair, left hand resting upon pad of paper in lap, right hand hanging limply, lifelessly, beside inner arm of chair. sits facing viewer , staring straight out. there seems on face, , in deep-set eyes, expression of profound sadness , disillusionment.

leutze executed other portraits, including 1 of fellow painter william morris hunt. portrait owned hunt s brother leavitt hunt, new york attorney , sometime vermont resident, , shown @ exhibition devoted william morris hunt s work @ museum of fine arts, boston in 1878.

in 1860 leutze commissioned u.s. congress decorate stairway in capitol building in washington, dc, painted large composition, westward course of empire takes way, commonly known westward ho!.

late in life, became member of national academy of design. member of union league club of new york, has number of paintings. died in washington, d.c., in 52nd year, of heatstroke. interred @ glenwood cemetery. @ time of death, painting, emancipation of slaves, in preparation.

leutze s portraits known less artistic quality patriotic emotionalism. washington crossing delaware firmly ranks among american national iconography, , caricatured.