The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane
John Quidor · 1858
Why it's great
A skinny schoolmaster races on a horse as a headless rider chases him through a dark forest, throwing his pumpkin head. John Quidor painted this scene from Washington Irving's story 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'. His pictures are full of wild, funny movement. It's a spooky, thrilling American tale.
👀 Look closer!
Find the pumpkin! What is the headless horseman about to throw?
Where to see it
📍 Smithsonian American Art MuseumWashington, D.C., United States
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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John Quidor was born in New Jersey and worked in New York City. He made humorous, wild illustrations of stories by Washington Irving, such as 'Rip Van Winkle' and 'Sleepy Hollow'. He was not widely known in his lifetime. He died in Jersey City in 1881.
