Polar Exploration Engraving, 1611, Paper

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Dutch Arctic Expedition, Building “Het Behouden Huys,” Pontanus 1611 A rare early 17th-century engraving depicting the construction of “Het Behouden … Read more Dutch Arctic Expedition, Building “Het Behouden Huys,” Pontanus 1611 A rare early 17th-century engraving depicting the construction of “Het Behouden Huys” (The Saved House) by members of Willem Barentsz’s ill-fated third Arctic expedition of 1596–1597. Published in Johannes Pontanus’ Rerum et Urbis Amstelodamensium Historia (Amsterdam, 1611), this image captures one of the most iconic episodes in the early history of polar exploration. Barentsz’s expedition, commissioned by the Dutch to find a Northeast Passage to Asia, became trapped in the ice off Novaya Zemlya. Forced to overwinter in the Arctic, the crew built a shelter from their ship’s timbers—the “Behouden Huys”—which became a legendary symbol of Dutch endurance and ingenuity in the face of extreme hardship. Only twelve of the original seventeen men survived the ordeal. Pontanus’ engraving, produced barely a decade after the event, offers a contemporary visualization of this dramatic moment. It shows the crew constructing the cabin amid snow and ice, surrounded by Arctic wildlife and the frozen hull of their stranded ship. The image combines historical accuracy with expressive detail, illustrating both the technological resilience and human determination that characterized the early Dutch voyages of discovery. Engravings like this played a central role in forming the heroic myth of the Dutch Golden Age of exploration, when cartographers, navigators, and publishers collaborated to expand both the geographic and intellectual horizons of Europe. Condition report: Fine early 17th-century impression on laid paper with visible plate mark. Some faint toning and minor marginal handling consistent with age. Image clean, rich in contrast, and well-preserved. Framing tips: An outstanding historical subject suited for display with a light cream mat and dark wood or walnut frame. A gilt filet accent enhances the period character and depth of the engraving. Technique: Engraving on laid paper Maker: Johannes Pontanus, Amsterdam, 1611 See less