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 Johann Theodore's son-in-law, Matthaus Merian, in 1624.

This is Plate I from a Latin edition of Part IV of de Bry's Grands Voyages. The scene illustrates Girolamo Benzoni's ship being loaded with supplies at Seville in preparation for his journey to the West Indies via Sanlucar de Barrameda and the Canary Islands. Latin text at bottom indicates that the engraver did not have a painting of Seville to work from, and instead produced an artistic rendering of a port city. Benzoni spent 15 years in the New World and was critical of Spanish treatment of the native population. On a sheet of Latin text measuring 8.8 x 13.1".

References: Van Groesen (De Bry's America) pp. 196-98.

Condition: B+

A crisp impression on a lightly toned sheet. There are several wormtracks in the bottom left blank margin that have been backed on verso with paper tape.