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.

This striking engraving first appeared in the German edition of Part VI of de Bry's Petits Voyages in 1603. Part VI covers the expeditions of the Dutch to parts of Africa, including Guinea, the Canary Islands, and Gabon. The engraving depicts the various hunting techniques of African natives. They capture a leopard with a cage with a trap door, attack an antelope with assagais, scare rabbits from their holes and club them, and catch elephants with large holes covered in straw. Full sheet with German text measures 7.9 x 11.8".

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Condition: B

The sheet has been remargined at left with old paper, with part of the engraved image trimmed away. There is light scattered foxing and marginal dampstains.