Engraving by Bernard Picart: The Virginians Rejoicing Round a Fire

Circle of figures leans in around a smoking fire beside a wide river.

This engraving is from England, United Kingdom, and dates to the 18th century. It is ink on paper. These European views of the East were not always accurate and were prone to stereotype, yet they reflected genuine curiosity, and many were hand colored and are still appreciated as historical artworks. Fine line work shows seated and reclining figures gathered around a bright fire, a white plume rising from it. Feathered headdresses and bare shoulders are carefully hatched. Canoes drift on the water behind. A short italic caption runs under the scene. It is 5 inches wide and 8 high.

The smoke is the best-drawn thing for miles, and it knows.