De Bry, Theodor. Pl. 23 [Bringing in Wild Animals, Fish, and Other Stores]

Theodore De Bry. Plate 23. [Bringing in Wild Animals, Fish, and Other Stores]. From Theodor de Bry & Jacques Le Moyne's Brevis Narratio eorum quae in florida Americae provi[n]cia Gallis acciderunt ... quae est seconda pars Americae.

Frankfurt: De Bry, 1591. 12 1/2 x 9 (paper). Engraving. Very Good Condition. 

This significant and historic engraving comes from Theodor de Bry and Jacques Le Moyne’s Brevis Narratio eorum quae in Florida Americae provincia Gallis acciderunt, quae est secunda pars Americae. It is the second volume of the Grands Voyages, one of the most remarkable collections of travel accounts produced during the Age of Discovery. Published in Frankfurt by Theodor de Bry, the series began in 1590, with this particular volume appearing in 1591. This volume is among the most important works on early North America, featuring Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues’s influential illustrations of Indigenous peoples. The work describes the earliest French settlements in what would become the United States. Its illustrations are based on watercolor sketches drawn firsthand in the New World by Jacques Le Moyne during the mid-1560s expedition led by Jean Ribault and René Goulaine de Laudonnière. Le Moyne’s depictions of the Florida Indians remain among the most important visual records of Indigenous peoples and their culture prior to the 19th century.

Theodor De Bry (1528-1598) was a prominent Flemish publisher and engraver. During his life he faced persecution for his Lutheran faith. He is best known for his engravings of the New World from "Grands Voyages", a work which would reach 30 volumes in scope. De Bry's landmark work depicted the early voyages and settlements in the Americas. His work greatly influenced the European view of the Americas for a long period of time.