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Engraving of a Nautical Battle of Dutch in the Seychelles with Giant Crabs, 1601

About the Item

Engraving by Theodore De Bry from 'Pars Quarta Indiae Orientalis...,' 1601, with descriptive latin text below the image. Colossal Crustaceans: The de Bry Engraving of Nautical Battles with Giant Crabs. Unleash the power of history and exploration on your walls with this striking antique engraving from the renowned "Petits Voyages" by Theodore de Bry. Crafted in the late 16th to early 17th century, this arresting image portrays a group of brave Dutch sailors in a desperate struggle against mammoth crabs on a distant shore. This scene, teeming with action and danger, reflects the exotic and often exaggerated tales brought back by explorers from their journeys to foreign lands. Part of an influential series that sought to capture the essence of the Age of Discovery, this engraving is a testament to the mix of fear and fascination with which Europeans regarded the natural world they encountered. It hails from the second edition of Part IV of de Bry's "Petits Voyages," which focuses on the adventures and ordeals of European explorers in the East Indies. Each detailed etching in this series is not just a piece of art but also a historical document revealing how the New World's flora, fauna, and peoples were imagined in Europe. Acquiring this engraving is an opportunity to own a slice of the Renaissance, to connect with the age when the unknown corners of the globe were being charted, and to celebrate the enduring human spirit of discovery. It is an investment in art, history, and the timeless allure of the untamed and the undiscovered. 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: 7.68 in (19.5 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 good, considering its age of over 400 years. Light brownish toning and some soiling due to handling. Please study this image carefully.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13596-31stDibs: LU3054337754082

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