Brueckner, Henry "The Prayer at Valley Forge"

Henry Brueckner (active c. 1855 – 1866).  “The Prayer at Valley Forge.” 

ca. 1870.  5 x 7 ¼ (image).  Engraving by John McRae.  Very good condition. 

A small book plate engraving of McRae’s larger print of Washington praying at Valley Forge.   The General is shown in the wintry woods appealing to heaven to help his troops and his cause.  Some of his men are shown in the near distance trying to keep warm around a smoking fire, and a mill can be seen in the farther distance.  Interestingly, a civilian figure is shown watching Washington from behind a tree, perhaps representing the fact that Washington’s cause was for all citizens of the American colonies.  This print was engraved and published by John C. McRae, known for his many historical images issued from the middle of the century through the Civil War.