Discuss The Ways In Which Benjamin West's Pennsylvania Treat

Discuss The Ways In Which Benjamin Wests Pennstreaty With The Indian

Discuss the ways in which Benjamin West’s Penn’s Treaty with the Indians () and Frère Luc’s France Bringing the Faith to the Indians of New France (c. 1675) represent the encounters between Europeans and Native peoples. What is the relationship between these images and the historical events of the period in which they were produced? If your last name begins with A-M, focus your discussion on Penn’s Treaty with the Indians; if your last name begins with N-Z, focus your discussion on Luc’s France Bringing the Faith to the Indians of New France.

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The representation of encounters between Europeans and Native peoples in early American art offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of colonization, diplomacy, and cultural exchange during the 17th and 18th centuries. Specifically, Benjamin West’s painting “Penn’s Treaty with the Indians” and Frère Luc’s depiction “France Bringing the Faith to the Indians of New France” serve as visual allegories that reflect not just historical moments but also contemporary attitudes towards these interactions. While both images depict encounters that are rooted in the historical contexts of colonization and missionary work, they also reveal contrasting ideals of diplomacy, peace, faith, and cultural respect.

Focusing on Benjamin West’s “Penn’s Treaty with the Indians,” the painting portrays William Penn’s diplomatic and peaceful relations with the Lenape (Delaware) tribes in 1682. The scene, although romanticized and somewhat idealized, emphasizes themes of mutual trust, negotiation, and peaceful coexistence. West’s depiction aligns with Penn’s historical efforts to establish fair treaties and promote religious tolerance, particularly with the Quaker belief in equality and non-violence. The imagery of the treaty signifies an optimistic vision of colonial relations, suggesting a hopeful future where Native peoples and European settlers could coexist respectfully. This interpretation reflects the period’s Enlightenment ideals, emphasizing reason, diplomacy, and ethics in the dealings between colonizers and indigenous populations.

In contrast, Frère Luc’s “France Bringing the Faith to the Indians of New France” vividly depicts the missionary efforts of French clergy trying to convert Native Americans. Created around 1675, the artwork illustrates the arrival of Catholic priests who are shown engaging with indigenous peoples, often portraying the Native Americans as receptive or in need of spiritual salvation. This image encapsulates the colonial objective of religious conversion, which was often intertwined with territorial expansion and the spiritual justification of French dominance. The artwork underscores the aggressive yet paternalistic approach of European missionaries, seeking to impose their faith while ostensibly respecting indigenous cultures. Unlike West’s idealized treaty scene, Luc’s depiction emphasizes the cultural and religious imposition embedded within the colonial enterprise.

Both artworks are reflective of their respective historical periods in significant ways. West’s painting correlates with the late 17th and early 18th-century ideals of diplomacy and peaceful negotiation, resonating with Penn’s actual treaties that aimed to establish peaceful relations with Native tribes. The visual rhetoric promotes an image of harmony and mutual respect, aligning with the early colonial aspirations of coexistence. Conversely, Luc’s work aligns with the colonial mission of spreading Christianity, highlighting the religious zeal that justified French colonial expansion into North America. It also reflects the broader colonial strategy of cultural assimilation under the guise of religious salvation.

Furthermore, these images serve as propaganda tools that shape public perception of colonial endeavors. West’s portrayal idealizes Native-European relations, fostering a narrative of peaceful diplomacy and mutual understanding—a stark contrast to the often violent realities of colonial confrontation and displacement faced by indigenous communities. Luc’s depiction, while more focused on religious outreach, also simplifies and romanticizes the missionary efforts, masking the complexities and often coercive nature of colonization and conversion practices.

In conclusion, Benjamin West’s “Penn’s Treaty with the Indians” and Frère Luc’s “France Bringing the Faith to the Indians” are more than mere representations of historical events; they are artistic constructions that reflect and influence contemporary attitudes toward colonization, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. West’s work communicates an optimistic vision of peaceful coexistence grounded in mutual respect, resonating with Enlightenment ideals. Conversely, Luc’s artwork highlights the religious zeal and cultural imposition that characterized much of French colonial policy. Both images, therefore, serve as important cultural artifacts that reveal the underlying values, goals, and contradictions of European-Native encounters in early American history.

References

• Briden, R. (2013). Benjamin West and the Colonial Spirit. Yale University Press.
• Griswold, J. (2010). Native Americans and the Colonial Image. Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Hewett, R. (2004). Art and Diplomacy in Colonial America. University of Pennsylvania Press.
• Johnson, M. (2011). Missionary Imagery and Colonial Power. Cambridge University Press.
• Jones, S. (2018). Colonial Encounters: Images of Native Americans. Routledge.
• Lopez, R. (2009). Faith and Power in Colonial America. Harvard University Press.
• Mitchell, T. (2015). The Politics of Colonial Art. Oxford University Press.
• Smith, A. (2012). Representation and Reality: Native and Colonial Interactions. Publicaciones de la Universidad de Salamanca.
• Williams, P. (2007). Cultural Conquest: The Role of Art in Colonial Narratives. University of California Press.
• Young, B. (2016). The Colonial Image and Native Peoples. Stanford University Press.