Visual Source: Theodor de Bry, “Columbus in India primo appellens, magnis excipitur muneribus ab incolis” (1590)

European Exploration, Perception of the Other, and the Columbian Exchange

What factors contributed to the European interest in exploration?

Theodor de Bry was an engraver and publisher from the Netherlands whose depiction of Columbus reflects the general sixteenth century conceptualization of his discovery. The symbolism included in it indicates the ideas at the time about the motivation for exploration.

Quiz Content

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. What does the artist depict the native population bringing to Columbus?

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. What have the crew erected behind Columbus?

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. What does this painting suggest about the motivations for discovery?

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