Dutch Encounter with Islanders, 1599, Paper

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De Bry Engraving “Wie es den Holländern in der Grundlosen Insul ergangen” – Encounter of the Dutch with Islanders, c.1599 … Read more De Bry Engraving “Wie es den Holländern in der Grundlosen Insul ergangen” – Encounter of the Dutch with Islanders, c.1599 A remarkable original copper engraving from Theodor de Bry’s Grand Voyages, Part VI (Frankfurt am Main, circa 1599), illustrating an episode from early Dutch exploration in the East Indies. The scene, titled Wie es den Holländern in der Grundlosen Insul ergangen (“How it went for the Dutch on the Bottomless Island”), depicts a dramatic coastal encounter between Dutch sailors and indigenous islanders during one of the earliest voyages to the East. In the foreground, Dutch sailors disembark from longboats and approach the shore under tense circumstances. The island’s inhabitants, armed with spears and decorated with palm leaves, rush forward from the forested background in apparent alarm or aggression. Behind them, dense palm groves and rugged hills suggest a tropical setting typical of the East Indies. The ships anchored offshore bear Dutch flags, their crews watching the unfolding events. This engraving vividly captures European fascination and anxiety toward the “unknown lands” encountered during their maritime expansions. De Bry’s workshop masterfully combined eyewitness reports, travelers’ s, and imaginative reconstruction, creating a visual record that shaped early modern perceptions of the non-European world. The accompanying German letterpress text describes the Dutch attempt to land on the so-called “Bottomless Island,” their initial contact with the local people, and the ensuing skirmish. The episode likely derives from the voyage accounts of Dutch navigators such as Cornelis de Houtman, who sailed to the East Indies in the late 16th century. Condition: Good impression on laid paper with strong plate mark and full margins, except the right border. Mild age toning, small handling marks, and light foxing typical for the period. Text and image both clean and legible. Framing tips: A powerful historical print that pairs well with other De Bry voyage scenes. Best displayed in a dark walnut or ebonized frame with an off-white mat, emphasizing the engraving’s dramatic composition and dense text block. Technique: Copper engraving with German letterpress text on laid paper Maker: Theodor de Bry (1528–1598), Frankfurt am Main, circa 1599 See less