William Penn's Treaty with the Indians

John Hall after Benjamin West

National Gallery of Art

The drawing shows a gathering of figures in a woodsy outdoor setting. It features individuals dressed in attire suggestive of early colonial America engaged in a formal meeting or negotiation. On one side, individuals in elaborate feathered headdresses and traditional attire represent Native Americans. Opposite them, a group in 17th-century colonial clothing suggests a discussion between the two parties. In the background are colonial-style houses, tall trees, and ships anchored by the shoreline. The drawing depicts details of clothing, expressions, and setting, evoking a sense of historical formality and cultural interaction.