Columbus before the Queen

Columbus before the Queen is an oil on canvas painting by German American painter Emanuel Leutze. The painting is signed and dated of 1843. It has the dimensions of 97.9 x 129.4 cm. It his held at the Brooklyn Museum, in New York.[1]

Columbus before the Queen (1843) by Emanuel Leutze

Description

Leutze did six treatments related to Christopher Columbus and this was the third. The Genoese navigator is at the center of the composition, set at the Spanish court, where he addresses the Catholic Kings, Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, both seated in the throne, while trying to convince them to support his plan to reach India by travelling in the west direction. The queen looks away, with a hand on her head, seemingly distraught, while the king addresses directly Columbus. The set seems Moorish, possibly relating to the recent conquest of the Kingdom of Granada in 1492. Several courtesans are present, both men and women, while a monk unveils a maritime chat in support of Columbus project. A cardinal in a red hat is seated at the left corner.[2]

The painting is typical of the historical genre, cultivated by Leutze.

References
  1. Columbus before the Queen, Brooklyn Museum
  2. Columbus before the Queen, WikiArt
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