ATTRIBUTED TO CHARLES BIRD KING. (American, 1785-1862). CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH NEGOTIATING WITH CHIEF POWHATAN, Oil on canvas.
Click here to view supplemental information for this lot. - Framed, 25 in. x 30 in. Estimate $30,000-50,000
This painting portrays the encounter of Captain John Smith with Chief Powhattan in 1607, after his capture by Pocahantas' tribe, but before Pocahontas took the courageous act that actually saved Captain Smith's life. This painting depicts Captain John Smith of the early 17th Century English settlement of the Virginia colony, at Jamestown, based on his armor, garb and certain facial images of him, e.g., the engraving by Crispin de Passe, that show the same essential facial anatomy and Smith's beard, as depicted in this painting. This painting depicts Smith in December 1607, while seeking food along the Chickahominy River, after his capture by the Indians of the Powhatan Confederacy and being taken to meet the Indian Chief, Powhatan. As depicted in the painting, Captain Smith is talking to and negotiating with Powhatan (seated in front of the Smith figure), seeking to have Powhatan spare his life. Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas is not visible in the painting, thus, this scene antedates the famed story, as told by Smith, that his life was saved by Pocahontas, who according to Smith, threw herself across his body "at the minute of my execution, she hazarded the beating out of her own brains to save mine; and not only that, but so prevailed with her father, that I was safely conducted to Jamestown." See Wikipedia biography of Captain Smith. Provenance: McLees Gallery, Haverford, Pennsylvania
