Items Similar to Dutch Voyages to Madagascar – Early Exploration Scene, Pontanus 1611
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9
Dutch Voyages to Madagascar – Early Exploration Scene, Pontanus 1611
$168.13
£124.52
€140
CA$229.99
A$250.30
CHF 132.68
MX$3,011.26
NOK 1,682.84
SEK 1,539.68
DKK 1,066.82
About the Item
Dutch Fleet off the Coast of Madagascar, from Pontanus’ Rerum et urbis Amstelodamensium historia, 1611
This elegant early 17th-century engraving shows a Dutch fleet sailing off the rugged coastline of Madagascar during the early voyages of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The image is taken from Johannes Isacius Pontanus’ Rerum et urbis Amstelodamensium historia (History of Amsterdam), printed in Amsterdam in 1611, which chronicled Amsterdam’s emergence as the maritime capital of the Dutch Republic.
In the composition, several large, three-masted Dutch galleons with billowing sails navigate the open sea under dramatic skies, their flags proudly flying. One smaller local vessel with distinctive lateen sails appears near the shore, symbolizing the contact between Dutch explorers and the peoples of the Indian Ocean. The mountainous coastline, rendered in fine linear detail, evokes the island’s strategic and exotic allure—a key stopover for ships en route to the East Indies.
This scene likely refers to the voyages of Cornelis de Houtman or Jacob van Neck in the late 1590s, who used Madagascar as a provisioning point on the long route around the Cape of Good Hope. Such images, reproduced from sailors’ reports, served to glorify the courage of Dutch navigators and celebrate the global reach of Amsterdam’s merchants.
The engraving exemplifies the visual vocabulary of early Dutch exploration: carefully drawn ships, stylized waves, and geographical features meant to both inform and impress. It is a fine example of the engraver’s craft and of early Dutch maritime iconography.
Condition: Fair, with light toning, marginal fraying, and old repair with tape on the left side. Strong impression with visible plate mark.
Framing tips: Ideal in a simple dark wood or walnut frame with a soft cream or ivory mat. A narrow gold inner line can emphasize the engraving’s maritime luminosity.
Technique: Engraving
Maker: Anonymous engraver after designs for Johannes Isacius Pontanus, Amsterdam, 1611
- Dimensions:Height: 9.45 in (24 cm)Width: 7.17 in (18.2 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:Paper,Engraved
- Place of Origin:
- Period:Early 17th Century
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1611
- Condition:Repaired: tape support on the left border. Condition: Fair, with light toning, marginal fraying, and old repair with tape on the left border. Strong impression with visible plate mark.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-13098-201stDibs: LU3054346949532
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2017
2,816 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Langweer, Netherlands
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllDutch Fleet off the Coast of Bantam, Java, from History of Amsterdam, 1611
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Dutch Fleet off the Coast of Java, from Pontanus’ History of Amsterdam, 1611
This original 1611 engraving from Johannes Isacius Pontanus’ *Rerum et urbis Amstelodamensium his...
Category
Antique Early 17th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Dutch Fleet and Fortified Port City of Bantam, from History of Amsterdam, 1611
Located in Langweer, NL
Dutch Fleet and Fortified Port City of Bantam, from Pontanus’ History of Amsterdam, 1611
This remarkable 1611 engraving triptych originates from Johannes Isacius Pontanus’ Rerum et ...
Category
Antique Early 17th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Naval Battle between Dutch and Javanese Fleets near Bantam, Pontanus 1611
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Naval Encounter between the Dutch and Javanese Fleets near Bantam, from Pontanus’ Rerum et urbis Amstelodamensium historia, 1611
This remarkable early 17th-century engraving ...
Category
Antique Early 17th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Early Dutch Exploration Scene with Exotic Wildlife and Naval Encounter, 1611
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Early Dutch Exploration Scene with Exotic Wildlife and Naval Encounter, Pontanus 1611
This original 1611 engraving sheet from Johannes Isacius Pontanus’ Rerum et urbis Amstel...
Category
Antique Early 17th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Early Exploration Engraving – Dutch Encounter with Islanders, De Bry 1599
Located in Langweer, NL
De Bry Engraving “Wie es den Holländern in der Grundlosen Insul ergangen” – Encounter of the Dutch with Islanders, c.1599
A remarkable original copper engraving from Theodor de Bry’...
Category
Antique 16th Century German Prints
Materials
Paper
Dutch Fleet at St. Helena (Calatog), Early Voyage Scene, Linschoten c.1601
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Dutch Fleet at St. Helena (Calatog), Early Voyage Scene, Linschoten c.1601
Description:
Rare early 17th-century Dutch engraving from Itinerario by Jan Huygen van Linschoten, ...
Category
Antique Early 17th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
You May Also Like
Mare Atlanticum - Etching by Johannes Janssonius - 1650s
By Johannes Janssonius
Located in Roma, IT
Mare Atlanticum is an ancient map realized in 1650 by Johannes Janssonius (1588-1664).
Good conditions.
From Atlantis majoris quinta pars, Orbem maritimum [Novus Atlas, volume V: c...
Category
1650s Modern Figurative Prints
Materials
Etching
Two naval images depicting 17th century warships
Located in Middletown, NY
French School 20th century
Two naval images depicting 17th century warships flying various flags, including the Plantagenet Lions and St. George's Cross. (2)
c1950. Two engravings w...
Category
20th Century French School Still-life Prints
Materials
Watercolor, Engraving
S.Juan de Puerto Rico - Etching by Johannes Janssonius - 1650s
By Johannes Janssonius
Located in Roma, IT
S.Juan de Puerto Rico is an ancient map realized in 1650 by Johannes Janssonius (1588-1664).
Good conditions.
From Atlantis majoris quinta pars, Orbem maritimum [Novus Atlas, volum...
Category
1650s Modern Figurative Prints
Materials
Etching
Antique Map - Mare Pacificum - Etching by Johannes Janssonius - 1650s
By Johannes Janssonius
Located in Roma, IT
Mare Pacificum is an antique map realized in 1650 by Johannes Janssonius (1588-1664).
The Map is Hand-colored etching, with coeval watercolorang.
Good conditions with slight foxing...
Category
1650s Modern Figurative Prints
Materials
Etching
Indiarum Occidentalium Tractus Littorales cum Insulis Caribicis / Pascaert van W
By Louis Renard
Located in New York, NY
This early 18th-century engraved map was published by Louis Renard in Amsterdam. The image size is 19 x 22 " (48.3 x 55.9 cm) plus margins.
A beautifully engraved Dutch sea chart. Shown is the entire Caribbean basin including the eastern seaboard up to Cape Cod and includes Bermuda. Florida is shown with the classic flattened southeastern coast that was derived by Hessel Gerritz. Noted are the routes taken by the Spanish treasure...
Category
18th Century Other Art Style More Prints
Materials
Engraving
Oceanus - Etching by Johannes Janssonius - 1650s
By Johannes Janssonius
Located in Roma, IT
Antique Map - Oceanus is an antique map realized in 1650 by Johannes Janssonius (1588-1664).
The Map is Hand-colored etching, with coeval watercoloring.
Good conditions with slight...
Category
1650s Modern Figurative Prints
Materials
Etching
