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 superb portrait of Jan Huygen van Linschoten (1563-1611) appeared in the Latin edition of Parts II de Bry's Petits Voyages. Part II covers Linschoten's voyages to the East (1583-92). Linschoten was an important Dutch explorer who sailed via the Cape of Good Hope to Portuguese Goa in 1583 and later explored the Arctic Ocean with Willem Barents. The valuable sailing instructions that Linschoten managed to acquire from the secret Portuguese archives helped launch the Dutch trading empire in the East Indies. On a sheet of Latin text measuring 8.3 x 12.3".

References:

Condition: A

A crisp impression with a dampstain in the top right corner of the sheet, well away from engraved image. The right and bottom margins have been extended with old paper. There are remnants of hinge tape on verso.