The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane Washington, D.C. The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane (1858) is a painting by American artist John Quidor, depicting a scene from Washington Irving's short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". The painting is one of several by the artist based on scenes from Irving's written works about Dutch New York, including such paintings as "Ichabod Crane Flying from the Headless Horseman" (1828) and "The Return of Rip Van Winkle" (1849). Quidor first exhibited the picture at the National Academy of Design in New York City. It is currently displayed in the Smithsonian American Art
Ichabod Crane than a fair lady's heart." He finally becomes a victim of his own false superstition and belief. During his journey home, Ichabod encounters another traveler, who is eventually revealed to be the legendary Headless Horseman; the ghost of a Hessian soldier who was decapitated by a cannonball during the American Revolutionary War. Ichabod flees with the Headless Horseman pursuing him, eventually crossing a bridge near the Dutch burial ground. Because the ghost is incapable of crossing this bridge, Ichabod assumes that he is safe. However, before Ichabod can react, the Headless Horseman throws his own severed head at him, knocking