One of the Religios men in the Town of Secota - Theodor de Bry

A 1590 copperplate engraving by Theodor de Bry depicting indigenous figures from Secota, based on the observations of John White.

This engraving, produced by Theodor de Bry in 1590, originates from the publication 'America', a collection documenting early European encounters with the indigenous peoples of the Americas. The work is based on original watercolours by John White, who accompanied the 1585 expedition to Roanoke. De Bry adapted White's observations into a series of copperplate engravings for a European audience, standardising the visual language of the period.

The image depicts two figures identified as religious men from the town of Secota. They are shown in profile and three-quarter view, wearing distinctive feathered cloaks. The figures stand upon a shoreline, with a body of water containing small boats and waterfowl in the background. The engraving technique employs fine cross-hatching to define the musculature of the figures and the texture of their garments. The composition reflects the European desire to categorise and record the appearance of foreign cultures during the late sixteenth century.

While the figures are rendered with a degree of anatomical precision typical of the Renaissance, the stylistic choices reflect the conventions of European printmaking rather than a direct, unmediated observation. The inclusion of the name 'G. Veen' on the stone in the foreground refers to Gijsbert van Veen, who collaborated with de Bry on the engraving process. This print provides a window into the historical intersection of exploration, cartography, and print culture. It remains a primary source for understanding how early modern Europeans conceptualised the inhabitants of the New World through the medium of the printed page.