The Landing of Columbus at San Salvador, October 12th, 1492

Christopher Columbus (Republic of Genoa 1451–1506 Valladolid, Spain), an explorer who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, sponsored by the Spanish Catholic monarchs, landed on the shores of the Americas on October 12, 1492 -- an event that led to European colonization. In this print, a large rowboat approaches the shore with Christopher Columbus standing at the prow. He is dressed in a deep red/light blue outfit with a blue sash, white stockings, gloves and a ruff collar, and he holds a white flag, with a blue cross between golden initials "F" and "Y". He is accompanied by a standing man, who is similarly attired to Columbus (albeit wearing fancy, feathered headgear), as six others maneuver the boat in the waves. In the right background, sailing ships are anchored. In the left middleground, two indigenous figures (one standing and one seated) are beneath two palm trees on rocky shore. The title is imprinted in the bottom margin. On the occasion of the United States Centennial, the print publishers Currier & Ives produced numerous prints recreating episodes of the country's founding history.

Nathaniel Currier, whose successful New York-based lithography firm began in 1835, produced thousands of hand-colored prints in various sizes that together create a vivid panorama of mid-to-late nineteenth century American life and its history. People eagerly acquired such lithographs featuring picturesque scenery, rural and city views, ships, railroads, portraits, hunting and fishing scenes, domestic life and numerous other subjects, as an inexpensive way to decorate their homes or business establishments. As the firm expanded, Nathaniel included his younger brother Charles in the business. In 1857, James Merritt Ives (the firm's accountant since 1852 and Charles's brother-in-law) was made a business partner; subsequently renamed Currier & Ives, the firm continued until 1907.