Engraving

Name/Title

Engraving

Entry/Object ID

1986.10.016

Description

Engravings from "Histoire Generale des Ceremonies", Benard Picart. Engraving on paper. Amsterdam, Holland. 1720-1730. One view on one sheet. View titled, "Tombeaux des Rois de Virginie". (Translation, "Tombs of the Kings of Virginia".) Depicts a large building which looks like it is made of some type of plant leaves or fibers (rather than wooden boards). The ceiling is arched. The walls and ceiling are constructed with thicker pieces of wood tied together at connecting points. It appears to have a dirt floor. On the floor of this building at he front of the view is a man wearing a loose, sleeveless shirt and a hat, squatting in front of a fire witha cloud of smoke coming from it. Behind this fire is a structure built inside of the building. It is held up by thick wooden posts. There seems to be something on the floor underneath it. It is like a covered platform (with a dome-roofed cover), made of the same material as the larger building. In it is a row of nine naked bodies all lying down with their hands at their sides. They seems to be dead. On the right, inside the structure sits a statue (or man?) with its hands on its knees. He wears clothing and a helmet-like hat.

Artwork Details

Medium

Engraving on paper

Made/Created

Artist

Picart, Bernard

Date made

1721

Dimensions

Height

15-1/8 in

Width

9-1/2 in

Dimension Notes

Sheet: 15 1/8"x 9 1/2" View: 12 1/8"x 8 1/8"