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Dimensions: 49 by 37 in.
124.5 by 94 cm.
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Provenance: Gary G. Spatta, Albuquerque
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Literature: American Art Union, Bulletin, New York, December 1849, July 1850, September 1851
Edward Sintzenich, Catalogue of a Valuable Collection of Oil Paintings, comprising the most recent and Important Works of E. Leutze, Esq, May 7, 1863, as The German Knight, n.p.
Henry T. Tuckerman, Book of the Artists: American Artist-Life, Comprising Biographical and Critical Sketches of American Artists, Preceded by an Historical Account of the Rise of Progress of Art in America, New York, 1867, reprinted, New York, 1967, as the The German Knight, n.p.
M.B. Cowdre, American Academy of Fine Art and American Art-Union Exhibition Record, 1816-1852, New York, 1953, no. 77
Barbara S. Groseclose, The National Collection of Fine Arts, Emanuel Leutze 1816-1868: Freedom is the Only King, Smithonsian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., 1975, no. 49, pp. 80-81, illustrated
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Notes: Although Emanuel Leutze was born in Germany in 1816, he moved with his family to the United States in 1825 and always considered himself an American. He began his art studies in Philadelphia and launched his career by painting portraits. In 1840, Leutze sailed for Europe where his goal was to enroll at the Düsseldorf Academy, then the most prestigious art school in Europe. Some years later, he established his own atelier in Düsseldorf and emerged as the central figure in the group of American artists working there. In the 1840's and 1850's, he specialized in historical works including scenes from the lives and careers of Columbus and Washington, episodes from Tudor and Stuart English history and scenes from German literature. Leutze's most famous work is the iconic George Washington Crossing the Delaware (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)
In her catalogue for the 1975 National Collection of Fine Arts exhibition (Emanuel Leutze, 1816-1868: Freedom Is the Only King), Barbara S. Groseclose wrote of Knight of Sayn and the Gnomes. The subject is from a German ballad in which Ermengarde, daughter of a squire, is promised to Kuno of Sayn if he can ride his horse up the rocky cliff to her father's castle. Leutze translated the ballad; the stanza below describes the scene illustrated:
"Kuno of Sayn! Kuno of Sayn!"
Thrilled a voice like silver bell fine,
"Promise to fill again the mine
Dug in the vale by vassals thine -
To-morrow's sun shall see thee ride
O'er the cliffs and win thy bride."
Then started the Knight; - before him stood
The Chief of the Gnomes in cloak and hood;
Three spans was he, and no more in height,
And his beard was powdered with silvery light.
Kuno was brave; he knew not fear
When in battle's front he poised the spear;
But pale and cold was his noble brow
As he signed the cross and spoke the vow
Back rode he home, as in a dream.
And sleepless watched for the morning beam;
For all the night, till the dawn, the clang
Of hammers and bolts and shovels rang.
Now glows with morning's light:
A bridge is built to the rocky height -
"Lo! here am I, Knight Kuno of Sayn,
And fair Ermengarde is forever mine!"
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