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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."

 

 

An 18th century engraving of Captain John Smith,
after an earlier 17th century engraving made
from a lifetime sitting of the famous explorer and
leader of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia.

 

Media:  Engraving on Paper

Date:  1793 (after 1616)

War:  None

Type:  Engraving

Catalog Number:  IAS-00410


Next:
Map of Virginia, 1683

 


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