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The Manner of Travelling as practiced by the people of Congo in Africa

Print
17th century-18th century (made)
Artist/Maker

This print is probably based on an engraving by Theodor de Bry. De Bry was a Frankfurt goldsmith, engraver, print-seller and bookseller who chronicled many of the earliest European expeditions to the Americas. Beginning in 1590, de Bry and his sons brought out a series of translations of accounts of the New World from Spanish, French, English, Italian and Dutch sources. Each volume was accompanied by detailed graphic illustrations of indigenous customs, culture, warfare and historical events. Many were based on first hand observations making them a rare visual record of early contact between Europeans and the inhabitants of the New World. After de Bry’s death the series was extended to include voyages to Africa and Asia.

The de Bry series offered an eager European public an early glimpse of distant lands and ‘exotic’ people. The illustrations, which were hugely popular, were widely copied during the 17th and 18th centuries.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Manner of Travelling as practiced by the people of Congo in Africa (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Engraving
Brief description
'The Manner of Travelling as practiced by the people of Congo in Africa', print depicting group of Africans carrying stretcher or sedan chair in which a person sits
Physical description
Print depicts a group of four Africans in a landscape, carrying a stretcher or sedan chair in which another African sits, four more Africans, including two children are present.
Dimensions
  • Height: 13.7cm
  • Width: 18cm
Marks and inscriptions
On bottom: 'The Manner of Travelling, as practiced by the PEOPLE of CONGO in AFRICA'
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Summary
This print is probably based on an engraving by Theodor de Bry. De Bry was a Frankfurt goldsmith, engraver, print-seller and bookseller who chronicled many of the earliest European expeditions to the Americas. Beginning in 1590, de Bry and his sons brought out a series of translations of accounts of the New World from Spanish, French, English, Italian and Dutch sources. Each volume was accompanied by detailed graphic illustrations of indigenous customs, culture, warfare and historical events. Many were based on first hand observations making them a rare visual record of early contact between Europeans and the inhabitants of the New World. After de Bry’s death the series was extended to include voyages to Africa and Asia.

The de Bry series offered an eager European public an early glimpse of distant lands and ‘exotic’ people. The illustrations, which were hugely popular, were widely copied during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Collection
Accession number
E.988-1886

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Record createdAugust 30, 2006
Record URL
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