Subject: Britain
Period: 1590 (circa)
Publication: Grand Voyages, Part I
Color: Black & White
Size:
6.3 x 8.8 inches
16 x 22.4 cm
This copper engraving is from a remarkable series of publications, illustrating voyages of discovery and travels of exploration to various parts of the world. The project was begun by Theodore de Bry of Frankfurt, in 1590 and was to continue for another 54 years. They became known collectively as the Grands Voyages (to America and the West Indies) and the Petits Voyages (to the Orient and the East Indies). De Bry died after the first six parts of the Grands Voyages were completed. The project was completed initially by his widow and two sons, Johann Theodore de Bry and Johann Israel de Bry, then by his son-in-law, Matthaus Merian in 1644.
These two engravings depict a male and female in "another neighbouring nation to the Picts, whose inhabitants dressed in a kind of cassock or cloth jerkin with the rest of the body naked" (text on an opposing page, not present). Both are dressed very simply and armed with sword and spear. The text further states that the women "carried such weapons as the men and were as good at fighting as they were."
There was only one state of each plate, though without the accompanying text, we are unable to determine the edition.
References:
Condition: B+
Crisp impressions with light toning and minor foxing.