This engraving of
Captain John Smith by William Richardson, engraved in
London in 1793, is based upon an earlier 1616 engraving
made from life by
Simon Van de Passe.
Following the establishment of the Jamestown settlement,
Smith returned to England in 1609. In 1612, he published
the most detailed map of the Chesapeake Bay region to
date. Smith's 1612 map of Virginia featured a famous
engraving Chief Powhatan, holding court in his shelter.
In 1616, Simon Van de Passe, a Dutch engraver working in
London, engraved John Smith's portrait from life.
The engraving of Smith's portrait would replace the image of Chief Powhatan
in later 17th century versions of Smith's map of Virginia.
Van de Passe engraved many other notable members of the
English gentry, and produced the first and only
engraving from life of Pocahontas, who was also in
London in 1616 with her husband John Rolfe (see
IAS-00409).
The stories of his interactions with the Powhatan
Indians and other Native American tribes, and the
leadership and courage he exhibited in establishing the
colony of Jamestown, provided him with a captive
audience of admirers throughout England and Europe.
Through his publication of maps and books, he sought to
inspire others to travel to the new world and to
participate in the colonization of the continent.
In 1616, Smith made his second trip to the new world,
during which time he explored the coasts of
Massachusetts and Maine, and named the region "New
England".
"These are the
Lines that shew thy Face; but those
That shew thy Grace and Glory, brighter bee:
Thy Faire Discoueries and Fowle-Overthrows
Of Salvages, much Civilliz'd by thee
Best shew thy Spirit; and to it Glory Wyn;
So, thou art Brasse without, but Golde within." |
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