Visual Source: Jacques le Moyne, Rene de Laudonniere and Chief Athore (late 1500s)

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

How did Europeans perceive the new people they encountered and how were they in turn perceived?

This watercolor painting is by Jacques Le Moyne who was an artist and also a member of the French expedition that settled at Fort Caroline on the St. John’s River in 1564. The painting shows commander René de Laudonnière and Chief Athore viewing a column erected by an earlier French expedition to the area and depicts the natives worshiping the column.

Jacques le Moyne, <i>Rene de Laudonniere and Chief Athore</i>

. How is the relationship between Chief Athore and commander de Laudonniére depicted?

It is built on a false belief that de Laudonniére is going to protect them.

It is friendly and cooperative.

It is unequal and violent.

. What does the behavior of the natives in the back suggest about their perception of the French?

They are worshiping the column left by an earlier French expedition as a sacred item suggesting they view the French as divine.

They are cowering in fear in front of the column because they think it is a weapon the French will use to destroy them.

They are bowing to the column because they consider it their god and they think the French are heathens for not worshiping like them.

Visual Source: Jacques le Moyne, Rene de Laudonniere and Chief Athore (late 1500s)

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