The Baptism of Pocahontas painted by John Gadsby Chapman now hangs in the rotunda at our United States capital. Given the name of the painting we already know a baptism is taking place with Pocahontas being the one baptized. Without even knowing the name, and just merely taking a glance at the painting, it would not be hard to figure that one out for yourself. Chapman creates a very obvious focal point of Pocahontas and the priest in the center and allows shadows create a tone of grief coming from the corners of the painting. Knowing our history of violence with the Native Americans in the 1600’s it surprises me that this painting hangs in the Nation’s capital. When looking deeper than just face value of this painting we can conclude that the birth of our country and the stepping into a new chapter is really the main focus of the painting. It is more of a metaphor of our country being baptized into something new, not just Pocahontas.

Pocahontas is known for being the Native American daughter to Chief Powhatan and also one of the first Native Americans to be converted to Christianity. She is painted kneeling down at the top of some steps next to a priest who appears with his hand in the baptism water. There are many people in this painting but Pocahontas and the priest are the only two dressed in pure white gowns and the only two highlighted as if the havens are shining down on them. All the rest of the characters from this painting are bordering the corners and slightly shaded out so that 90% of the focus is on the baptism taking place. Yes, this is Pocahontas getting baptized but in a broader sense Pocahontas represents the country/colonies stepping into a new era in which they think all Native Americans will be able to be assimilated into society peacefully. Pocahontas is depicted very calmly on the steps and appears to be very peaceful and willingly undergoing this baptism. If only it would be that easy for all of the Native Americans to follow. 

After focusing on the main focal point for a minute your eyes start shifting into the shaded out corners where Pocahontas family is watching the ongoing event. Pocahontas father looks disappointed at his daughter, arms folded, looking away in disgust. Her father is a symbol for all of the Native Americans who felt they were being pushed out of their culture and their land. While he is very obviously upset he is still standing upright with a strong demeanor about himself which can represent their willingness to fight back. Unlike Chief Powhatan, his son is slumped on the floor also not looking at the baptism but instead of seeming to appear to have some sort of confidence about the situation he looks to the floor with a look of pure defeat, He is a metaphor for the Indians that saw this as the beginning of the end; the colonist were taking charge and forcing the Native Americans into a life that was not their own. The hope seems to be completely lost from his eyes just like a lot of Native Americans lost hope of keeping their culture and traditions once the colonist started trying to forcefully assimilate the Indians into society. Sitting alongside her brother is Pocahontas’ sister who faces the baptism holding her baby with captivation. She is leaning in, holding on to every word being said. While we cannot see her face she has a hopeful atmosphere to herself like some other Native Americans had looking into the situation. Pocahontas’ sister represents the small group of Indians that looked upon all of this and only saw hope for their future and the next generation; the ones who saw this as a bright outlook with possibilities of a better life that would come with peaceful assimilation into the white man’s world. Now in the very corner of the painting there is one Native American stating up but appears to be bucking or getting ready for a fight with the priest. While the rest of Pocahontas’ family is dressed in regular tan draping, this Indian is clothed in a red cloth. This man more obviously represents the Indians that had only rage towards the thought of their whole culture being taking away from them. The four members of Pocahontas’ family that are watching her baptism represent the four types of emotions that the Native Americans had when being faced with this situation. You have the dad who is being the strong one while hating the situation, the defeated one, the hopeful one, and the extremely angary one. 

Chapman’s painting of Pocahontas being baptized with colonist and her family surrounding her may look like a simple painting that is quite straight forward. Through analyzing the visual text we can argue that the true meaning behind the painting is the colonist hope of moving into a new era with the Native Americans cooperating with the assimilation project. Along with the colonist view chapman also depicts for us the range of emotions Native Americans had when faced with this situation.  
