A famous painting’s history has an important connection to both Bucks County and Germany, and is now one of America’s best pieces of art. Gillian Brockell wrote about the painting for The Washington Post.

“Washington Crossing the Delaware”, revealed to the public in 1851, depicts the famous crossing of the Delaware River by then-General George Washington and his troops as they made their way into New Jersey. Washington’s crossing took place on the shores of Bucks County, in a town now named for the namesake event.

Prominently sitting in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the painting was the work of German artist Emanuel Leutze, whose interest in American history influenced him to create one of the country’s most well-recognized pieces of patriotic art.

During his time, Leutze saw his native Europe enveloped in political upheaval that was, in part, inspired by the actions of Washington and other founding fathers. To saw that the painting is a tribute to freedom is an understatement.

Read more about the painting in The Washington Post.