The Image of Pocahontas

 

To be clear, no clear images of Pocahontas exist.  The only portrait of her ever drawn from live has her clad in English garb (the 1616 Simon van de Passe engraving on the left).  Also, the other images portray Pocahontas a mythic figure.  The statue of Pocahontas at Gravesend literally has her up on a pedestal as an Indian maiden with flowing long hair, a portrayal of femininity.  

Also, the issue arises where one can look too deep into images of Pocahontas and see things that aren't there.  for example, Pocahontas appears weathered and tired in Simon van de Passe engraving, but that could just be a result of the medium, or on the fault of the artist.  I'm excited to explore this more in the Pocahontas image essay.