Antique Maps & Prints of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 4652:
Description
This enthralling engraving is from Theodor De Bry’s significant historical work
Grands Voyages. The work was published in several parts between 1590 and 1613 (what we have available is from 1590-1594). The image impressions are especially strong, so it appears these are very early issues from the first edition.
Grands Voyages is considered one of the most remarkable collections of voyages published in the Age of Discovery.
The engraving presented here is from a
Receuil factice of the first four parts printed in Latin between 1590 and 1594.
Receuil factice refers to a "made up collection". The images being offered are likely from a French person in the mid 18th century who owned a set of
Grands Voyages and wanted to present only the images. The engravings have been carefully cropped from the original sheet to feature solely the image and then expertly married to paper with identical watermarks (including grapes, and letters CL, SA, M). The backing paper is likely 18th century French paper (cfr Churchill 474-478).
Theodor de Bry (1528-1598) was a prominent Flemish engraver and publisher. He came from a family of jewelers and engravers, and faced persecution for his Lutheran faith during the Spanish Inquisition. De Bry would be most known for his engravings of the New World from
Grands Voyages, a work which would reach 30 volumes in scope. He was inspired to create this work after meeting Richard Hakluyt in 1587, who had published his own collection of voyages. Hakluyt helped de Bry obtain paintings from the New World as well as giving him a copy of Hariot’s Virginia. Many of the original paintings of America were done by Jacques Le Moynes de Morgues and John White then transferred to copper plates by de Bry.
De Bry’s landmark work depicted the early voyages and settlements in the Americas. His work greatly influenced the European view of the Americas for a long period of time. De Bry’s prints provide an important contemporary view of European conquest and settlement in early America. The images depict native customs, culture and warfare, and episodes in the history of European contact with these natives and their world. As Michael Alexander said, De Bry’s work "brought to the European public the first realistic visualization of the exotic world opened up across the Atlantic by the explorers, conquerors and settlers." (Discovering the New World, p. 7)
Paper Size: ~ 9 5/8" by 7 5/8"
Paper Type or Special Features: Engraving
Condition report:
The work is in very good to excellent condition. There may be a few minor marks or imperfections to expect with age, but generally exceptional considering the age. Each engraving is professionally married to 18th century French watermarked paper with the title to the following image in the work on verso. Please review the images carefully for condition and please contact us with any questions.
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