1599 Print of Native Javanese Ceremonial Dance
XXIX Ein tanz der Jauaner
By: Theodor de Bry
Date: 1599 (circa) Amsterdam
Dimensions: 11.75 x 8 inches (30 cm x 20.3 cm)
This antique print is XXIX in de Bry's series on the city-sultanate Bantam in Java, located across the straits from Sumatra. Here we see a ‘typical’ Javanese dance being performed by five women and four men. The costumes are interesting, the tops for both men and women made of diaphanous fabric while the lower portion is of a heavier material, the women wearing skirts and the men knee-length trousers. A woman is playing what appears to be a percussive instrument.
This interesting copperplate engraved print by Theodor deBry 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.
Theodor de Bry 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 invoked a desire in de Bry to make the discoveries known to a wider reading public. Thus most of his books were based on first-hand accounts by the explorers themselves.
Condition: This print is in B+ condition with some light foxing, most of which is in border areas. Print displays a nice, strong impression.
Inventory #19532
1200 W. 35th Street #425 Chicago, IL 60609 | P: (312) 496 - 3622