Photograph by Ed Pollard, Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II digital slr-2008.

The Landing at Cape Henry, April 1607

Artist Stephen Reid (Scottish, 1873 - 1948)

CultureScottish

Date1928

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsOverall: 50 x 62 in. (127 x 157.5 cm)
Overall, Frame: 54 1/2 x 66 1/4 in. (138.4 x 168.3 cm)

InscribedThe names of contributing organizations and persons have been mounted on the center stretcher of this canvas.

Credit LineGift of the Organizations and Citizens of Norfolk and vicinity in memory of Alethea Serpell, past President, Council of Assembly Tidewater Virginia Women.

Object number35.14.1

Not on view

DescriptionThis painting represents the planting of the first cross at Cape Henry in April 1607 where those who first colonized Jamestown Island landed to give prayers of Thanksgiving for a safe landing and voyage. The figures represent the Rev. Robert Hunt standing by the cross. The principle kneeling figures are George Percy, Capt. Maria Wingfield, Captain Christopher Newport and Captain Bartholomew Gosnold. The others are gentlemen passengers and members of the crew. The day is bright and clear. A vessel may be seen in the background, and some of the figures on the sand dunes are dressed in their armour and carrying their arms. One is holding a flagstaff from which is flying the cross of St. George. Another figure is kneeling on his spade with which he presumably has just finished planting the cross. Lighting fixtures are attached to the painting.

Label TextStephen Reid Scottish, 1873–1948 The Landing at Cape Henry, April 1607, 1928 Oil on canvas Following their transatlantic voyage, a young priest leads Christopher Newport and his fellow colonists in a prayer of thanks on the dunes of Cape Henry in Virginia Beach. They will soon sail up the James River and establish Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America. Scottish painter Stephen Reid created several idealized images of early moments in Virginia history, perhaps through the encouragement of local arts patron Florence Sloane (1873–1953). Sloane led the campaign for a group of Norfolk’s leading citizens to purchase this scene for the city’s new Museum of Arts and Sciences, today the Chrysler Museum. Gift of the organizations and citizens of Norfolk and the vicinity, in memory of Alethea Serpell, past President, Council of the Assembly of Tidewater Virginia Women 35.14.1 Exhibition History"American Treasures at the Willoughby-Baylor House," Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, January 2 - December 1, 2013. "The Norfolk Rooms," Willoughby-Baylor House, Norfolk, VA, opened August 16, 2014.Published ReferencesMary Lovell Swetnam, et al, _The Beach: A History of Virginia Beach, Virginia_, revised edition (Virginia Beach, VA: The Virginia Beach Public Library, 1996), 9, b/w ill. "Principle Approach Education," _The Foundation for American Christian Education_ XI, no. 3 (November 2004): detail illustration, cover. Mary Lovell Swetnam, et al, _The Beach: A History of Virginia Beach, Virginia, 3rd. ed._ (Virginia Beach: City of Virginia Beach, 2006), 9. ISBN: 0977957004 Steve Rust, "America Needs A Healing," _The Kentucky Voice_ Vol. 3. No. 2 (March - April 2007), 10 & 11. Stephen McDowell and Mark Beliles, _The American Dream: Jamestown and the Planting of the American Christian Republic_ (Charlottesville, VA: Providence Foundation, 2007) Cover. ISBN: 1-887456-20-1