Wednesday, May 30, 2018

1600s European Depictions of Native Americans - More Fantasy than Fact - Virginia

1706 Account of Voyages of Martin Pring and Bartholomew Gilbert. Martin Pringe in north Virginia, 1603. Hand-colored engraving from book page, c.1625 or earlier

Martin Pringe captained a voyage to "the North part of Virginia" in 1603 for merchants of the city of Bristol, exploring the coast of New England & returning with a cargo of sassafras & a bark canoe. In this narrative illustration, the artist has adapted details freely & wholly invented the scene. The attire of the Indians & the vegetation both resemble features of more southerly regions.