Matthaeus
Merian
(also known as Matthäus Merian I) (1593–1650), or possibly Theodoor de Bry
(aka Théodore de Bry, Dietrich de Bry, and Dirk de Bry) (1528–1598)
“Patagonian
Succarath & Mythic Beasts”, 1655
Depicted
Animals— based on early Spanish colonial descriptions of real South
American wildlife with legendary creatures invented or misunderstood by early
European mapmakers:
•
The Succarath / Su (lower-left): a legendary monster of Patagonia
described as having a human-like face, wolfish body, backwards-curving horns,
and a massive, palm-like tail. Legend held that it carried its young on its
back and would destroy them if hunted rather than let them be captured.
• The Manticore-like Beast / Patagonian Lioness
(lower-right): A large, bear-headed predator with humanised facial features
shown nursing two cubs, blending Renaissance bestiary style with early explorer
descriptions of South American pumas.
• The Patagonian Unicorn (in the distance at upper-right): A slender,
long-necked beast with a single spiralling horn on its head. It is seen
standing on the hill below the smoking volcano.
• The Giant Crocodile / Caiman (upper-centre): A massive, armour-skinned
crocodilian.
• The Jaguar / Ocelot (centre-right): Two predatory wild cats
representing South America's native felines, depicted with classic heraldic,
lion-like features popular in 17th-century European art.
• The Armadillo (below and closest to the crocodile): A banded armadillo
foraging.
• The Anteater / Coati (at centre below the armadillo and behind the
lizards): A long-nosed mammal
• Large Ground Iguana / Lizard (lower-centre): A spiked reptile resting
near a twisted snake.
• The Giant Constrictor Snakes (foreground): Interlocking, coiled
serpents representing the terrifyingly large snakes described by early
explorers in the tropical swamps.
Technical
Details & Condition:
Etching
on fine laid paper with full margins and German letterpress text on both recto
and verso. This original book-leaf was published in Frankfurt am Main in 1655
by the Merian heirs, as part of Johann Ludwig Gottfried’s “Newe Welt und
Americanische Historien.” The featured etching appears on page 614. See: https://archive.org/details/neweweltvndameri00gott/page/614/mode/2up.
The impression is strong, showing minimal signs of wear to the printing
plate, indicative of an early impression. Aside from minor age-toning and a few
surface marks, the sheet is in excellent condition—free of tears, holes, folds,
abrasions, or significant stains.
Dimensions:
• Sheet: 30.7 x 19.3 cm
• Platemark: 15.5 x 18 cm
• Image borderline: 15 x 17.3 cm
Letterpress
text (recto):
•
Above image: (left) “614”; (centre) “West Indianischer Historien” (Translation:
“West Indian histories”)
• Main text paragraph directly below image begins: “In der Insul ein grob
steinern Bild gefunden / wie ein Weib gestaltet / ...” (Translation: “On the
island a large stone image [statue] was found, shaped like a woman...”)
Summary
of Topics Covered in the Text:
•
Indigenous Idols & Spanish Conquest: Discusses the discovery of a
large stone statue of a woman on an island. It notes that the indigenous people
made offerings to it, but when the Spanish overthrew it without facing divine
retribution, the locals realised they had been deceived by a false idol.
• Volcanic Activity in El Salvador: Details a massive, active volcano in
the province of San Salvador with a crater deep enough to walk down into,
warning of deadly, fainting-inducing sulphur smoke venting from lime-kiln-like
fissures.
• The Destruction of Nicaragua: Mentions a devastating volcanic eruption
in Nicaragua that completely collapsed a mountainside, burying and destroying
the homes of the native inhabitants in the valley below.
• Natural Wonders & Unique Waters: Chronicles unusual geological
anomalies, including a toxic night-flowing stream near the village of Nixapa, a
river in Choluteca that vanishes entirely by afternoon, and a pair of springs
in Mimilla where one runs boiling hot and the other ice cold.
• The Secret to Native Ink: Describes the volcano of Nicaragua near the
capital of Leon, noting that mixing its volcanic earth with the juice of a
local fruit called Nacolo produces an exceptionally high-quality black writing
ink.
Price
& Shipping:
AU$279 (approximately US$193.71
/ €169.32 / £145.10), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import
duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.
If
you are interested in acquiring this historically significant 17th-century leaf
capturing European imagination of South American animals and landscapes—please
contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal
invoice for a seamless purchase.
This print has been sold
