Moran, Percy (1862-1935)

Born, Philadelphia; son of the marine artist Edward Moran and nephew of the landscape painter Thomas Moran; early studies with his father before attending the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts; noted history painter of the colonial revival period. Meeting of Washington and Rochambeau on board the French navy ship L'Eperon Oil on canvas 30 x 40 " c. 1900 1976.3 0.9 Estate of Mrs. Preston Davie Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau (1725-1807) was born in Vendome, France. His distinguished service in the French army during the War of the Austrian Succession was rewarded with a leading position in the French military. Interestingly enough, his reform of the French army paved the way for Napoleon's successes and insured his own survival from the guillotine. As a Lieutenant General, he led the French expeditionary force to North America in 1780 in order to support the Colonial insurrection against the English crown. Washington and Rochambeau met several times during 1781, most importantly in March at Newport, Rhode Island, and in Wethersfield, Connecticut in May. Both men were cautious military commanders. Washington fought a campaign of attrition, wearing down the British by his constant movements and stinging assaults and rapid withdrawal. Rochambeau's caution was well founded. A full-fledged war with the British was not what the French wanted at the time, merely a containment action to limit their North American expansion. Considering the recent flavor of Franco-American relations, the bonhomie Moran visualizes for Washington and Rochambeau is refreshingly genteel as they greet each other as equals, smiling stalwartly at the challenge ahead. This type of picture was highly popular with late 19th-century historical, genealogical and military organizations, keen to elevate the Revolution into one of the most important struggles for freedom in the history of the world.