Items Similar to Tropical Delights: De Bry's Illustration of Indian Fig and Nut Trees, 1601

Tropical Abundance: The Jackfruit and Palm Trees in De Bry's 1601 Engraving

Verdant Wonders: Exotic Trees and Spices of India in De Bry's 1601 Illustration

Spices of the Tropics: Cinnamon and Cassia in De Bry's 1601 Illustration

Treasures of the Tropics: Lac, Lancas, and Fagaras in De Bry's 1601 Engraving

Botanical Marvels of India: Bamboo and Durian in De Bry's 1601 Copper Engraving

New World Flora: Aloe, Maguey, and Mexican Plants in De Bry's 1601 Work

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 8

Tropical Delights: De Bry's Illustration of Indian Fig and Nut Trees, 1601

About the Item

This original 1601 copper engraving by Theodore de Bry is an exquisite representation of the flora found in the landscapes of India during the Age of Discovery. It features the Ficus Indica, or Indian fig tree, with its bountiful fruit, alongside the Areca nut tree, both essential to the local economy and culture. The fig tree is depicted with its wide canopy and fruit that seems to emerge directly from the trunk, a common characteristic of the species, while the slender Areca nut tree stands tall with clusters of nuts that were highly valued both as a chewable stimulant and for their medicinal properties. In the engraving, individuals engage in the harvest and enjoyment of these fruits, reflecting their importance in daily life. A figure sits leisurely at the base of a fig tree, perhaps savoring the sweet fruit, while another climbs the Areca tree, likely collecting the valuable nuts. The background offers a glimpse into the serene rural setting, with traditional dwellings and lush vegetation, conveying a sense of harmony between nature and the inhabitants. De Bry's work is renowned for its attention to detail, and this print is a testament to his ability to capture the essence of exotic lands and their natural abundance. His engravings were among the first visual records to reach Europe from the New World and the East, fueling curiosity and fascination with distant lands. This particular piece is not only a work of art but also a historical document, offering insight into the botanical wealth of India as seen through the eyes of early modern Europeans. 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. The text provided is in Latin. Here is the English translation: "This palm, or rather nut-bearing tree, is native to India and produces an abundance of fruit. Moreover, the nuts themselves are food, and a very swift drink is also made from them. From this tree, the Indians also obtain the material needed to make the necessary items, such as sails for ships, ropes, and other things of this sort in great quantity; so much so, that life and sustenance for them depend solely on this tree. This table also expresses the Indian fig, which is consumed throughout the year, and the Indians eat it daily in large amounts. Finally, the Areca tree is depicted, which bears the Areca fruit, which the Indians, after chewing the leaves of the Betel, consume all day long, as is explained in the history of the fruit itself." 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-13596-121stDibs: LU3054337755782

View Invoice

Tropical Delights: De Bry's Illustration of Indian Fig and Nut Trees, 1601

About the Item

Antique Early 17th Century Prints

Verdant Wonders: Exotic Trees and Spices of India in De Bry's 1601 Illustration

Antique Early 17th Century Prints

Tropical Abundance: The Jackfruit and Palm Trees in De Bry's 1601 Engraving

Antique Early 17th Century Prints

Spices of the Tropics: Cinnamon and Cassia in De Bry's 1601 Illustration

Antique Early 17th Century Prints

Treasures of the Tropics: Lac, Lancas, and Fagaras in De Bry's 1601 Engraving

Antique Early 17th Century Prints

Botanical Marvels of India: Bamboo and Durian in De Bry's 1601 Copper Engraving

Antique Early 17th Century Prints

New World Flora: Aloe, Maguey, and Mexican Plants in De Bry's 1601 Work

20th Century European Prints

Vintage Print Illustration of Various Types of Trees, framed

Vintage 1960s French French Provincial Prints

Paris Scene Illustration Lithograph of Place De Concord by Jean Dufy

2010s American Modern Prints

Signed and numbered Robert Williams print In the Land of Retinal Delights

21st Century and Contemporary American Other Tapestries

Fig Tree

20th Century European Prints

Vintage Print Illustration of Old Crafts, Tanning, framed

20th Century European Prints

Vintage Print Illustration of Antique Objects, walnut frame

Recently Viewed