Francisco Vázquez de Coronado y Luján (1510 - September 22, 1554) was a Spanish conquistador and explorer who led a large expedition from Mexico to present-day Kansas between 1540 and 1542. Vázquez de Coronado had hoped to reach the Cities of Cíbola, often referred to now as the mythical Seven Cities of Gold. His expedition marked the first European sightings of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, among other landmarks. His name is often Anglicized as Vasquez de Coronado or just Coronado. He died of an infectious disease at the age of 43/44. No artist credited, undated (cropped and cleaned).