"[Alvarado Dies at Guadalajara]", 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 striking engraving depicts the death of the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in July 1541, during the Mixton War. Alvarado was attempting to quell a rebellion of the Caxcan people against their Spanish colonizers when he was crushed by his own horse. The engraving shows the natives rolling boulders and tree trunks down a hill at the Spanish soldiers.

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Condition: B+

A dark impression on a lightly toned sheet.