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Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object name |
Painting |
Title |
The Drill Master - Von Steuben at Valley Forge, 1778 |
Artist or maker |
Henry Hintermeister (1897-1970) |
Date |
1960 |
Place of origin |
United States |
Materials and techniques |
oil on canvas |
Physical description |
Artist Henry Hintermeister has here captured the virility and color of Friedrich Willhelm von Steuben. The robust, hard-driving General, still wearing his European great coat, is shown drilling a vari-clad squad as Washington watches. Pictured behind Washington is the youthful Lafayette. An aide is on the black horse. |
Historical context |
Of great good fortune to the American Army of the Revolution was the arrival of Baron Von Steuben. Trained in the Prussian Army of Frederick the Great, Von Steuben, on a visit to Paris was so intrigued with the patriotic fervor of Benjamin Franklin and others, that he decided to forsake his promising career in Europe and enlist as a volunteer in the American Army "for any duty which the Commander-in-Chief might assign him" and for no other pay than his actual expenses. Von Steuben arrived at Valley Forge on February 23, 1778, and so impresses Washington with his military bearing and knowledge that he was appointed Inspector General or Drill-master on March 28. Washington's recognition and use of the skills of General Von Steuben proved to be a turning point in a dark hour of the Revolution. The American soldiers had proved their bravery, but lacked the disciplinary training necessary for a well-coordinated force. Von Steuben personally drilled and drilled the battered, half-starved group so that out of a mob emerged a disciplined, mobile army designed for victory. Von Steuben drilled in groups made up of members of various companies to acheive a great coverage in as short a time as possible. |
Catalogue number |
1964.02.001 |
Collection name |
Paintings and Sculpture |
Credit line |
Gift of Ruth Bigelow Sweet and Bushnell Bigelow as a memorial to their brother Ashley Bigelow, Esq., |
People |
Washington, George Marquis de Lafayette, Gilbert du Moitier von Steuben, Friedrich Willhelm |
Subjects and places |
American Revolution Valley Forge New Jersey American Military Figures |