Wm. Penn's Treaty with the Indians When He Founded the Province of Pennsa. 1661: The Only Treaty That Never Was Broken

after Napoleon Sarony

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of a treaty negotiation scene between two groups gathered in a natural outdoor setting. There are lush green trees providing a canopy overhead, framing the gathering below. In the backdrop, there are colonial-style buildings in various stages of construction. On the left side, a group of indigenous people are depicted with colorful clothing and feathered headpieces. They are gathered closely, a few seated and others standing. On the right side, another group is dressed in colonial attire typical of European settlers of the time, with long coats, broad-brimmed hats, and some holding scrolls or documents. In the distance, ships are docked near the coastline. The scene conveys a moment of peaceful negotiation, with both groups seemingly in dialogue.