"[Der Teuffel Aygnan Peiniget die Wilden]", Bry, Theodore de

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 macabre engraving appeared in Newe Welt und Americanische Historien, a condensed edition of de Bry's series of voyages published by Johann Ludwig Gottfried. It depicts the beliefs of the Tupi people of Brazil, depicting their torment at the hands of the devil in various guises. In the background are a group of Europeans attempting to convert Indigenous peoples to Christianity. This is a new engraving, more detailed and striking in composition than the comparable "How the Indians believed the devil tormented them" plate from De Bry's work. On a sheet of German text measuring 13.2 x 8.1".

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Condition: B+

A dark impression with one small worm hole in the engraved image at left, a printer's crease at top, and a few tiny binding holes along the left edge of the engraving.