Items Similar to Original Copper Engraving of Various Celebrated Animals in India by De Bry, 1601
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8
Original Copper Engraving of Various Celebrated Animals in India by De Bry, 1601
About the Item
Title: "Exotic Bestiary: A 1601 de Bry Engraving of India’s Majestic Fauna"
This captivating 1601 copper engraving by Theodore de Bry from his "Indiae Orientalis" series portrays a vivid tableau of India’s diverse wildlife, offering a snapshot of the region's exotic fauna as perceived by European explorers of the time. In the foreground, an elephant stands prominently, a symbol of the Indian subcontinent's rich natural heritage. It is accompanied by an armored rhinoceros and a crocodile, representing the dangerous and untamed aspect of the wild. A serene turtle completes the scene, providing a contrast to the more formidable creatures surrounding it.
The text is a section of Latin writing, which appears to describe the wildlife in India. Here is the English translation:
"Elephants are most frequent in India, especially in Ethiopia among the Kaffirs, where they are hunted for their tusks, which the Portuguese are known to sell to the west. Their great number also roams in Bengal, and not less in Pegu, where they are seen in such great numbers that they are occasionally found together in herds of up to two thousand. From these, the finest are selected, and the rest are let go to propagate their species.
The rhinoceros is also an animal found in India, but especially in Bengal near Patna, within the territory where, near the Ganges River, a great number are hunted.
In the aforesaid river, there are also numerous crocodiles which cause much trouble to the fishermen due to their frequent attacks, as the history of their behavior will relate."
This engraving reflects the European fascination with the natural world during the Age of Discovery. De Bry’s meticulous attention to detail and the dynamic composition of the scene capture the viewer's imagination and transport them to the landscapes of early modern India. Each animal is rendered with a blend of accuracy and artistic license, revealing the blend of observation and myth that characterized European views of distant lands.
As an original piece from the first edition of Part VII of "Indiae Orientalis," this work is a valuable collector's item, not only for its historical significance but also for its aesthetic beauty and the window it opens onto the perceptions and curiosities of a bygone era. It stands as a testament to the wonder and allure that the flora and fauna of India held for the European mind, and it would serve as a prestigious and conversation-evoking piece for any collection.
This plate is part of the "Petit Voyages" or "Small Voyages," a series that complemented the "Grands Voyages" or "Great Voyages." Theodore de Bry, a noted engraver and publisher from Liège, Belgium, began these works to illustrate the New World and the Far East based on accounts and drawings from explorers. His works grew to comprise 30 volumes, with later editions published by his children after his death. This particular engraving is a testament to the enduring allure of the unknown that captivated the minds of Europeans during the Age of Exploration.
This piece forms part of a larger corpus of works produced under the supervision of the de Bry family, a lineage of renowned engravers and publishers based in Frankfurt. Initiated by Theodore de Bry in 1590, this series aimed to visually document the epoch of European global exploration and the encounters with the natural world that ensued.
The engraving is a page from Part IV of de Bry's "Petits Voyages," which narrates significant expeditions to the East Indies, including those led by Jan Juygen van Linschoten and Cornelis de Houtman between 1595-97, as well as the journey by Jacob van Neck and Wybrandt van Warwijck in 1598-99. These works were not merely artistic endeavors but also ethnographic records, showcasing indigenous peoples, fauna, flora, and the diverse riches of lands like India, Madagascar, and the East Indies.
Though Theodore de Bry began this ambitious project, it was continued posthumously by his family and later completed by his son-in-law, Matthaus Merian, in 1644. This particular engraving, rich in detail and drama, offers a window into the perilous and wondrous experiences of early explorers, and the ways in which these moments were captured and communicated to a European audience hungry for knowledge of the wider world.
- Dimensions:Height: 11.82 in (30 cm)Width: 7.88 in (20 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:Paper,Engraved
- Period:Early 17th Century
- Date of Manufacture:1601
- Condition:The condition of the print is very good, considering its age of over 400 years. Light brownish toning and some soiling due to handling, mainly around the edges. Please study this image carefully.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-13596-81stDibs: LU3054337755132
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2017
1,940 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Langweer, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
Auctions on 1stDibs
Our timed auctions are an opportunity to bid on extraordinary design. We do not charge a Buyer's Premium and shipping is facilitated by 1stDibs and/or the seller. Plus, all auction purchases are covered by our comprehensive Buyer Protection. Learn More
More From This SellerView All
- Botanical Marvels of India: Bamboo and Durian in De Bry's 1601 Copper EngravingLocated in Langweer, NLThis 1601 engraving by Theodore de Bry, a master engraver and publisher of the late Renaissance period, depicts the flora of India with a remarkable degree of detail and artistry. Th...Category
Antique Early 17th Century Prints
MaterialsPaper
- The Whale Harvest of St. Mary's Island - Copper Engraving by de Bry, 1601Located in Langweer, NLOriginal Antique engraving by Theodore De Bry from 'Pars Quarta Indiae Orientalis...,' 1601, with descriptive latin text below the image. This 1601 engraving presents an intriguing...Category
Antique Early 17th Century Prints
MaterialsPaper
- Rare Creatures of the East: A 1601 de Bry Copper Engraving from the IndiesLocated in Langweer, NLTitle: "Rare Creatures of the East: A 1601 de Bry Engraving from the Indies" Description: This original 1601 engraving from Theodore de Bry's collection presents a fascinating array...Category
Antique Early 17th Century Prints
MaterialsPaper
- Maritime Life and Flora: Antique Engravings by De Bry, 1601Located in Langweer, NLTitle: "Maritime Life and Flora: Antique Engravings by De Bry, 1601" This pair of original antique engravings, published in 1601 by the famed engraver Theodore de Bry, showcases the...Category
Antique Early 17th Century Prints
MaterialsPaper
- Island of Giants: The de Bry Engraving of Mauritius' Wonders, 1601Located in Langweer, NLOriginal Antique engraving by Theodore De Bry from 'Pars Quarta Indiae Orientalis...,' 1601, with descriptive latin text below the image. Step back into the world of 1601 with this...Category
Antique Early 17th Century Prints
MaterialsPaper
- The Cockfight of Java: A 1601 de Bry Engraving of Cultural PastimesLocated in Langweer, NLOriginal Antique engraving by Theodore De Bry from 'Pars Quarta Indiae Orientalis...,' 1601, with descriptive Latin text below the image. This 1601 engraving by Theodore de Bry off...Category
Antique Early 17th Century Prints
MaterialsPaper
You May Also Like
- Copper Plate Engravings by Giovanni Battista PiranesiBy Giovanni Battista PiranesiLocated in San Francisco, CASet of etchings of views of a Greek ceremonial klismos chair. In his fifties, G.B. Piranesi was interested in archaeology and studied in Southern Ita...Category
Antique 1770s Italian Neoclassical Drawings
MaterialsWood, Paper
- Copper Plate Engravings by Giovanni Battista PiranesiLocated in San Francisco, CAG. B. Piranesi in his fifties was interested in archaeology and studied in Southern Italy where he produced drawings of Greek architecture. Medium: Etching on laid paper. Year: circa...Category
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Classical Roman Drawings
MaterialsGlass, Giltwood, Paper
- Antique Copper Engraving of an Officer of Pikeman by Francis GroseBy Francis GroseLocated in New York, NYFrancis Grose entered the army early in life and served in the cavalry, infantry, and militia.He had a profound knowledge of antiquities and spent the greater part of his life collec...Category
Antique 19th Century English Renaissance Revival Prints
MaterialsPaper
- Lithograph Engraving of House de Tasso TorquatoLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRLithograph engraving of House de Tasso Torquato, 19th century. Measures: H 41cm, L 31cm.Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Romantic Prints
MaterialsPaper
- Original Piranesi Framed Engraving of a Monument in the Form of a CornucopiaBy Giovanni Battista PiranesiLocated in San Francisco, CAGiovanni Battista Piranesi, Italian 1720-1778) Engraving on wove paper depicting an ancient Roman funeral monument in the form of a cornucopia from the Via...Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Prints
MaterialsPaper
- Set of 4, Natural History of the Animal Kingdom Engravings Circa 1860Located in Atlanta, GASet of 4, Natural History of the Animal Kingdom Engravings Circa 1860. Each of these finely hand colored book plate engravings feature animals from all over the world. This series f...Category
Antique 19th Century Prints
MaterialsGlass, Wood, Paper