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 harrowing engraving is Plate XVII from Part IV of De Bry's Grands Voyages, which covers Girolamo Benzoni's travels in the Caribbean and Central America. The sheet depicts a grisly revenge scheme devised by the Spanish. After the Indigenous people of Cumana massacred Spanish missionaries, Gonzalo de Ocampo (not to be confused with the Dominican slave leader Diego del Ocampo) lured a group of them to his ship, with the soldiers hidden below deck. As soon as the natives were comfortable on the ship, the soldiers sprang into action, capturing as many as they could. Ocampo hung the men he captured, as pictured here. On a sheet of Latin text measuring 9.3 x 13.2".

References: Church #153; Van Groesen (De Bry's America) p. 216-17.

Condition: A

A nice impression with marginal toning.