Allegory of America, from "The Four Continents" 1585 - 1605

Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder created this engraving, “Allegory of America,” as part of a series called "The Four Continents." It’s meant to depict the continent of America through symbolic figures and imagery. Made in the late 16th century, in the Netherlands, it is a product of its time, reflecting European perceptions and misperceptions about the newly encountered lands and peoples of the Americas. The central female figure, adorned with feathers, represents the continent. The surrounding images—Native Americans with bows and arrows, exotic animals, and scenes of hunting—speak to a European fascination with, and perhaps a misunderstanding of, American culture. It’s important to note that this image is not an accurate representation of America, but rather a European interpretation, shaped by colonial ambitions and limited knowledge. Historians use prints like these, alongside other sources, to explore the complex dynamics of cultural exchange, colonial power, and the construction of identity in the early modern world. This print offers us insight into how Europeans constructed their understanding of the world and their place within it.