European in the Americas, 16th century

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European in the Americas, 16th century

European in the Americas. 16th-century artwork of a robed European (possibly a missionary) in the Americas being greeted by indigenous women and children said to be crying with joy. In some of the first cross-cultural encounters in the Americas, the white-skinned Europeans were thought to be gods. Artwork from Cosmographie universelle (1575) by the French explorer and writer Andre Thevet (1516-1590). This book described the history and geography of the lands in which Thevet had travelled. The two volumes and four tomes contain over 1000 pages divided into 23 books. This woodcut is from chapter IX of book XXI

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Media ID 9199663

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1500s 1575 16th Century America Andre Thevet Anthropological Anthropology Book 21 Caribbean Child Christian Christianity Conversion Cosmographie Universelle Crying Cultural Culture Ecstasy Ethnographic Ethnography Explorer French Indigenous Joyful Latin America Local Mediaeval Medieval Middle Ages Missionary Native North American Religion Religious South America South American Tribal Woodcut Worship Blessing Converts Ecstatic Fervour Worshipping

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a significant moment in history, depicting the encounter between Europeans and indigenous people in the Americas during the 16th century. The artwork, created by French explorer and writer Andre Thevet, showcases a robed European figure, possibly a missionary, being greeted by indigenous women and children who are overcome with joy to see their arrival. In these early cross-cultural encounters, the white-skinned Europeans were revered as gods by the native population. This woodcut from chapter IX of book XXI in Thevet's Cosmographie universelle (1575) provides a glimpse into this historical event that shaped both continents' future. The image portrays an intense scene filled with emotion and cultural significance. It highlights themes of conversion, worship, and religious fervor as the indigenous people express their ecstasy upon encountering these newcomers. The sight of crying indigenous women and children suggests overwhelming happiness at this encounter. Todd-White Art Photography has beautifully captured this piece of art that delves into anthropology and ethnography from the 16th century. Through this photograph print, we can appreciate not only its historical value but also its artistic representation of culture clash during those times.

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