Brueckner, Henry “The Marriage of Pocahontas"

Henry Brueckner.  “The Marriage of Pocahontas.” 

New York: John C. McRae, ca. 1855.  Engraving by John McRae.  Printed by H. Peters.  24 x 34.  Three not very noticeable creases in  image along the left hand side of image.  Print has been professionally conserved.  Else, very good condition.  Strong impression.   

A romantic image of Pocahontas’ marriage to John Rolfe by Henry Brueckner.   Brueckner was primarily a printmaker, so it is likely his nearly six feet long oil painting was originally intended to be used as a model for this striking engraving.  This picture of the 1614 marriage is largely imaginary, as little accurate, detailed information of the ceremony was recorded.  Rolfe is depicted as the embodiment of the Victorian ideal man, while Pocahontas is shown as a thoroughly civilized and modest, though slightly exotic woman.   Though most of the congregation at the ceremony is English, a number of Indians are also shown, including two of Pocahontas’ brothers and her uncle Opachisco.  Pocahontas was a popular figure in the mid-nineteenth century, representing the civilizing of the American continent by Europeans and their descendants.  This wonderful scene of civilization, piety, and brotherhood would have well suited the feelings of its intended audience.