PETER ROTHERMEL (AMERICAN, 1871 - 1895) SURRENDER OF GUATEMOZIN TO HERNANDO CORTEZ.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2020

Peter Frederick Rothermel was one of America's best known history painters. Born in Nescopeck, PA circa 1817, Rothermel was first trained as a surveyor and then as a sign painter. He began a career painting portraits in Philadelphia, but turned to history painting, considered a more prestigious path for a professional artist. One of his most famous paintings is "Patrick Henry in the House of Burgesses of Virginia," which some critics consider the best historical painting in America. In 1856, he went to Rome and lived there until 1859, and after the Civil War was commissioned by the Pennsylvania Legislature to paint a huge work of the Battle of Gettysburg. This epic work depicts the surrender of the Aztec Mexican king, Guatemozin ending the siege of Mexico in 1521 by Hernando Cortez. This represents the subjugation of the last Aztec ruler in Mexico. The picture was painted for Professor James J. Maples and was the second in a series of paintings by Rothermel based on William Hickling Prescott's History of the Conquest of Mexico. Ex- Kennedy Galleries. Inpainting around edges, to sky and a larger area in the flag. Tears and repairs to sky. Relined, new stretchers.

This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.

Item Dimensions: Frame: 49" x 60" x 4".

Name

Value

Artist

PETER ROTHERMEL (AMERICAN, 1871 - 1895).

Title

SURRENDER OF GUATEMOZIN TO HERNANDO CORTEZ.

Created

Mid 19th Century.

Medium

Oil on canvas.

Signature

Signed lower right "P F Rothermel".