1599 Native Javanese Attack Dutch Ship

Ein verrahterlicher Mord/der Jauaner auff dem Schiff Hollandia. XXXI By: Theodor de Bry Date: 1599 (circa) Amsterdam Dimensions: 11.75 x 8 inches (30 cm x 20.3 cm) This interesting copperplate engraved print by Theodor de Bry was composed by him according to stories and illustrations of European expeditions and explorations that were being made at the end of the sixteenth century. This is print XXXI in his series on the city-sultanate Bantam in Java, located across the straits from Sumatra. Here is depicted the ‘murderous’ attack of a Dutch ship by the Javanese. Interestingly, while the Dutch ship in the foreground is under attack, another two Dutch vessels with sails furled and probably anchored show no response, in fact appear abandoned. Having started his professional career as an engraver, during the three years he lived in London de Bry became acquainted with the geographer Richard Hakluyt, whose stories of expeditions to exotic foreign lands engendered in de Bry a desire to make