This painting entitled, “The Planting of the Colony of Maryland” commemorates the formal celebration of the founding of the colony of Maryland on March 25, 1634 on St. Clement’s Island (in St. Mary’s County). Led by Leonard Calvert, the first proprietary governor, the group of English colonists arrived aboard two ships, the Ark and the Dove. In this scene, the settlers, in thanksgiving for their safe arrival, prepare to erect a rough-hewn cross, symbolizing the religious tolerance upon which the colony was founded. The events of this day are commemorated annually on March 25 as “Maryland Day.”

Artist Frank B. Mayer (1827-1899) painted this overly romanticized scene in 1893, nearly 260 years after the event. He based his painting upon the first person account of Father Andrew White, a Jesuit priest who was among the original settlers. White is depicted at the far left of the image, following the procession of cross-bearers. Governor Leonard Calvert is depicted at the center of the painting, with a sword at his side. While Mayer includes a depiction of the Yaocomico, an Algonquian-speaking Native American group who lived in the area, his depiction does not take into account their perspectives on the colonists' arrival.

This painting is displayed in the Old House of Delegates Chamber of the Maryland State House.