Dutch Engraving of Indigenous Peoples, 1611, Paper

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Title: Natives of St. Mary’s and St. Lawrence Islands, from Pontanus’ Rerum et urbis Amstelodamensium historia, 1611 This striking early … Read more Title: Natives of St. Mary’s and St. Lawrence Islands, from Pontanus’ Rerum et urbis Amstelodamensium historia, 1611 This striking early 17th-century engraving depicts the inhabitants of the islands of St. Mary (Île Sainte-Marie) and St. Lawrence (Madagascar), based on accounts from the earliest Dutch voyages to the East Indies. The image was published in Johannes Isacius Pontanus’ Rerum et urbis Amstelodamensium historia (History of Amsterdam), printed in 1611, a monumental chronicle of Amsterdam’s maritime triumphs and global encounters. At the left stands the “King of St. Mary,” identified in the inscription as Rex Ins. S. Mariæ, wearing an ornate headdress reminiscent of a bishop’s mitre—a curious European interpretation of local royal attire. To his right are two men of St. Lawrence Island (Indigenarum I.S. Laurentij imagines), one holding a long spear and shield, the other displaying a parrot and wearing arm and neck ornaments. Behind them, a group of islanders engage in daily activities, while European ships lie anchored offshore, symbolizing the first encounters between Dutch sailors and the peoples of Madagascar. The engraving reflects the European fascination with distant cultures and the blending of observation with imagination typical of early ethnographic illustration. Though drawn from travelers’ reports, these images were often filtered through classical ideals and European artistic conventions, giving them both historical and artistic significance. Pontanus’ Historia incorporated such engravings to celebrate Amsterdam’s expansion into the wider world, following in the tradition of De Bry’s India Orientalis and Linschoten’s Itinerario. Each plate offered readers a glimpse of foreign lands and peoples encountered by Dutch navigators on their way to the East Indies, emphasizing curiosity, commerce, and discovery. Condition: Good for its age, with mild toning, minor edge wear, and small tears in the outer margin. Strong impression with visible plate mark and legible text throughout. Framing tips: Best displayed in a walnut or dark oak frame with an ivory mat to highlight the engraving’s fine detail. A black inner border adds visual contrast and draws the viewer’s eye to the figures. Technique: Engraving Maker: Anonymous engraver after designs for Johannes Isacius Pontanus, Amsterdam, 1611 See less