Items Similar to The Whale Harvest of St. Mary's Island - Copper Engraving by de Bry, 1601
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7
The Whale Harvest of St. Mary's Island - Copper Engraving by de Bry, 1601
About the Item
Original 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 scene of marine harvest, depicting the industrious efforts of local inhabitants of Saint Mary's Island (probably Île Sainte-Marie, off the coast of Madagascar) in capturing sea creatures, which appear to be whales ('cetos' could refer to large sea animals, generally whales). The engraving shows several boats and individuals engaging in various activities related to the hunt. Some are actively pursuing the creatures, others are in the water, and a group is seen onshore, tending to a beached animal.
In the foreground, a prominent whale is beached with several figures around it. One figure seems to be securing a rope around the whale's head, while another gestures as if in conversation or directing the activity. Onshore, to the left, stands a figure who appears to be in a leadership or observational role, overseeing the scene. The background features the sea dotted with boats and figures, some of whom are in the water, possibly swimming or in distress.
The technique of the engraving is detailed and precise, typical of the period, offering a rich depiction of the event. The scene is framed by a textual header in Latin, which likely provides context or commentary on the scene depicted, common in works intended for an educated European audience of the time. This print is a part of a larger collection that aimed to document the discoveries of new lands and their practices, flora, and fauna, bringing the vast and varied world to the European readers of the era.
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 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:
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
1,928 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.
More From This SellerView All
- 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
- 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
- Original Copper Engraving of Various Celebrated Animals in India by De Bry, 1601Located in Langweer, NLTitle: "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 ...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
- 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 Melancholy Tree of the East: A 1601 de Bry Engraving from 'Indiae OrientalisLocated in Langweer, NLThis engraving from Theodore de Bry's "Indiae Orientalis" showcases a serene yet intriguing scene titled "EFFIGIES ILLIUS ARBORIS, QUAM TRISTEM VOCANT," which translates to "The Imag...Category
Antique Early 17th Century Prints
MaterialsPaper
You May Also Like
- 18th Century Engraving of Sperm Whales, by Bertuch, 1790Located in Nantucket, MA18th Century Engraving of Sperm Whales, by Bertuch, 1790, an engraved zoological plate depicting what was thought to be two species of Sperm Whale (Physeter), the Cylindrical Pot-Wha...Category
Antique 1790s German Other Prints
MaterialsPaper
- Early 18th Century Engraving of the Northern Whale Fishery, circa 1720Located in Nantucket, MAVery early 18th century Dutch woodblock engraving of the Northern Whale Fishery, circa 1720, a hand colored engraving illustrating the Dutch whaling flee...Category
Antique 1720s Dutch Baroque Prints
MaterialsPaper
- Basel, Bale, Switzerland, Large Copper Engraving of the CityBy Beat Fidel ZurlaubenLocated in Norwich, GBView of the City of Basle, taken from above the Fortre?s of Huningue. Copper Engraving by Jean-Bapti?te Liénard after a Drawing by Nicolas Pérignon. Published 1780. Nicolas...Category
Antique 1780s Swiss Georgian Prints
MaterialsPaper
- A.A De Correggio Engraving of the Virgin and the ChildLocated in Beuzevillette, FRBeautiful engraving representing "The Virgin and Child with Saints Jerome and Maire-Madeliane", after an oil on canvas by Antonio Allegri of Correggio (1489-1534), master of the renaissance, engraved by Robert Strange...Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Prints
MaterialsPaper
- 18th Century Engraving of Sperm Whale and Dolphins, by Bertuch, 1790Located in Nantucket, MA18th Century Engraving of a Sperm Whale and Dolphins, by Bertuch, 1790, an engraved zoological plate depicting a Sperm Whale (Physeter), and two species of Dolphin (appears to be a B...Category
Antique 1790s Other Prints
MaterialsPaper
- Antique Alexandre Louis Leloir Engraving of the Temptation of St. AnthonyLocated in Miami, FLAntique Alexandre Louis Leloir Engraving of the Temptation of St. Anthony Offered for sale is an engraving of the original oil painting by Alexandre-Louis Leloir (1843-1884). Lel...Category
Antique 19th Century French Prints
MaterialsGlass, Giltwood, Paper