Colonization

The engraving, Amerigo Vespucci et l'amérique, created by Theodore Galle.

WHO/ WHAT: This engraving by Theodore Galle depicts Amerigo Vespucci arriving in the New World (Americas) in the 16^th century. Vespucci was initially going to Cape Verde on behalf of Portugal, which was a Portuguese colony at the time; however, during that odyssey, he stumbled upon South America, as depicted by this image. The object is the engraving.

WHEN: The engraving was completed in 1589; Vespucci arrived at the New World in the 1500s.

Where:  Vespucci discovered South America, in what was known as the New World (it was erroneously thought to be Asia prior to Vespucci’s finding) (Biography.com Editors). The engraving itself was turned to print and was widely distributed in the late 1500s throughout Europe.

WHY: This engraving exposes the problematic aspects of colonization, specifically the social stratification that results. In this artwork, the nude, barbaric female symbolizes the Americas, while the male, Amerigo Vespucci, represents Europe and other civilized countries; there is a multitude of other facets of this engraving that suggests that colonizers believed that their culture is superior. This mentality was their justification for colonization. It explores the identities of the colonizer and the colonized.

Biography.com Editors. "Amerigo Vespucci Biography." Bio.com. A&E Television Networks, 14 Jan. 2016. Web. 02 Sept. 2016.