First Tribute to Columbus
Title
First Tribute to Columbus
Description
Throughout human history, great discoveries have commonly been made by accident. Despite popular mythology, this principle applies to Christopher Columbus’ initial voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Although the notion that the Earth was round was not revolutionary at the time, Columbus’ miscalculations regarding the planet’s size led him to believe that Asia was far closer to Europe than it actually is (Restall 7). Instead of perishing as a result of his error, however, Columbus encountered a vast landmass unknown to his contemporaries and full of unidentified inhabitants.
The Spaniards who followed Columbus to the New World brought their desires to both convert the native population to Christianity and accrue wealth for themselves and their monarchs. The conquest of the Americas gave Spain access to the natural resources on the continents, people that could be used as workers, and, eventually, profitable trade routes (Mar-Molinero 27). From a religious standpoint, the conquest could be justified since the spread of Christianity would end the “wicked crimes” committed by the indigenous population, which would lead to their salvation (Cowans 62).
The Spanish cultural perspective of colonization is demonstrated by the painting First Tribute to Columbus, which depicts the triumphant arrival of the explorer to the New World. In the foreground is Columbus himself, but directly behind him are a towering wooden cross and the flag of Castile and Leon. The prominence of these objects in the painting reflects the interests of Spain with regards to these new lands and peoples. It is also worth noting that this painting was created at the end of the 19th century, right as Spain was entering a crisis of identity due to numerous losses of overseas colonies.
The Spaniards who followed Columbus to the New World brought their desires to both convert the native population to Christianity and accrue wealth for themselves and their monarchs. The conquest of the Americas gave Spain access to the natural resources on the continents, people that could be used as workers, and, eventually, profitable trade routes (Mar-Molinero 27). From a religious standpoint, the conquest could be justified since the spread of Christianity would end the “wicked crimes” committed by the indigenous population, which would lead to their salvation (Cowans 62).
The Spanish cultural perspective of colonization is demonstrated by the painting First Tribute to Columbus, which depicts the triumphant arrival of the explorer to the New World. In the foreground is Columbus himself, but directly behind him are a towering wooden cross and the flag of Castile and Leon. The prominence of these objects in the painting reflects the interests of Spain with regards to these new lands and peoples. It is also worth noting that this painting was created at the end of the 19th century, right as Spain was entering a crisis of identity due to numerous losses of overseas colonies.
Creator
Jose Ganrnelo y Alda
Source
https://www.europeana.eu/portal/en/record/2022704/lod_oai_bibliotecavirtualdefensa_es_40808_ent1.html?q=christopher+columbus
Mar-Molinero, Clare. The politics of language in the Spanish-speaking world: from colonization to globalization. Routledge, 2002.
Restall, Matthew, Seven Myths of Spanish Conquest. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2003.
Sepúlveda, Juan Ginés de, “Just War in the Indies (ca. 1547)” in Early Modern Spain: A Documentary History, ed. Jon Cowans. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2003.
Date
1892
Contributor
Elliot Cahn
Rights
Free Re-use
Original Format
Painting
Physical Dimensions
300 cm x 600 cm
Citation
Jose Ganrnelo y Alda, “First Tribute to Columbus,” HIST 139 - Early Modern Europe, accessed August 6, 2026, https://earlymoderneurope.hist.sites.carleton.edu/items/show/101.