Art Used as Usful Tool for Explores

In the early 16th century, after Christoper Columbus “discovered” new land, the people of European nations seemed very intrigued to educate themselved about the unknown.  On the top of their list  to learn more about was that of the native people who had already lived there for years before they had.  Although there were no Tvs, radios, or photographs, explores found new ways to explain there experiences.  That was through paintings and maps.

Although many attempts to establish colonies were unsuccessful, John White was able to display with water colors what the settlers were seeing first hand.  For example, his work showed tiny houses with open windows and wooden walls.  The natives look to have spears and there is an open fire central in the circular village.  Not much else is clear.  Much different is his second piece.  Displayed in this art  are similar houses not in a circle, but on roads.  The crops are aligned in a perfect path and the Indians are dancing in a circle.  It is said that the differences in the pictures is to make the natives seem more civilized.  Why would John White want to do this?  Most likely not to disappoint or scare the people of his homeland.   But make the new land seem familiar and inviting.

Another visual that aided in European vision where the maps created by explorer John Smith.  This map contains one thing that Whites ‘s works did not.  Smith’s portrayal contains geographical features that where very helpful when trying to invision the land.

Although maps and paintings can be very helpful I would have to agree that real Indians who came to Europe were the best resource when trying to visualize the new lands.  Indians like Pocahontas became famous for their roles in helping with land discovery.

Source Used:  http://www.vahistorical.org/cole/overview.htm

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