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 dramatic engraving originally appeared as Plate 30 in Part III of de Bry's Grands Voyages. Part III includes Hans Staden's account of his adventures in Brazil between 1546-55. Staden (ca. 1525 - ca. 1575) was captured by the Tupinamba and held for nine months, allegedly narrowly escaping being killed and eaten. His account of the tribal customs of the Tupinamba, especially in regard to cannibalism and religious practices, is one of the most vivid and controversial early accounts of the New World. The engraving here shows the Tupi ritual to contact the spirits. The plate was republished in Johann Ludwig Gottfried's Newe Welt und Americanische Historien, a collection of voyages. Also known as Historia Antipodum, Gottfried's work is an abridgement of de Bry's voyages to America that incorporates much new material. Matthaus Merian, de Bry's son-in-law and publisher for Historia Antipodum, was granted access to de Bry's copper-engraved plates. On a sheet of German text measuring 9.2 x 14.4".

References: Van Groesen (De Bry's America) p. 188-89.

Condition: A

A crisp impression with minor soiling in the blank margins.