Theodore de Bry, Tropical Abundance: The Jackfruit and Palm Trees in 1601, Engraving on Paper

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"Tropical Abundance: The Jackfruit and Palm Trees in De Bry's 1601 Engraving" : This remarkable 1601 engraving by Theodore de … Read more "Tropical Abundance: The Jackfruit and Palm Trees in De Bry's 1601 Engraving" : This remarkable 1601 engraving by Theodore de Bry illustrates the lush vegetation of India, particularly focusing on the Jackfruit tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus), known for its massive, spiky fruits that hang heavily from its branches. The image meticulously captures the tree's extensive foliage and the distinctive fruit that was a significant source of sustenance in the region. Alongside the Jackfruit, the engraving depicts a variety of palm trees, each with its own unique fruit, contributing to the diverse edible landscape of the Indian subcontinent. In the background, the daily life of the local inhabitants is subtly integrated, with figures tending to the trees and engaging in the harvest. This inclusion of human activity emphasizes the importance of these trees in the cultural and economic practices of the time. De Bry's work not only brought the flora of distant lands to the European audience but also provided a glimpse into the interaction between nature and society in these exotic locales. Translation of the Latin text: "The fruit of the Jackfruit tree, unlike other fruits, hangs from the more slender branches of the tree and from the trunk itself, and even more so from the thickest parts of the branches like palms. In the same table, the image of another fruit is also presented, which is the largest in the island of Bali and is almost round in shape, tending to a conical tip; it is covered with a skin, which on account of its ash color is called by the Portuguese 'Erinaceus.' Those who are fond of this fruit say that it tastes like bread and that it is a preservative against poisons. The tree produces a raceme of fruit in the manner shown here. Also depicted is the figure of the larger Myrobalan, which is otherwise called Aretca in Indian; this is well known on the island of St. Mary." 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. See less