Brazil, Olinda, Recife, Pernambuco, Dutch attack 1630, Montanus / Van Meurs, 1671, Olinda de Phernambuco.

A large view of the city of Olinda in Pernambuco, Brazil.
A key in the top left identifies sites of interest. Title on top.

This is a dramatic view of the Dutch Fleet attacking the town of Olinda in Brazil. Founded by the Portuguese in 1537, Olinda is located in the Pernambuco state in eastern Brazil. Its rich sugar cane plantations made it a center for Portugese It was captured by the Dutch in 1630 and burned to the ground.

This detailed engraving is inspired by a painting by Post executed in 1639. This view appeared in John Ogilby’s seminal atlas "America: Being the Latest, and Most Accurate Description of the New World," published in London in 1671. Ogilby’s work is an English translation of Arnoldus Montanus’ "Die Nieuwe en onbekende Weereld. . . ," which was produced in Amsterdam earlier the same year. Considered the first encyclopedias of the Americas, both texts are richly illustrated with maps, views and portraits.

In the late 1630’s Holland attempted to reassert its claim over Brazil by establishing a series of forts along the coastline. It is one of the best documented colonies because of the expedition led by Prince Maurits of Nassau, who attempted to assemble an intellectual court in the New World. He brought with him a group of highly accomplished artists, mapmakers, and scientists to record the mysteries of Brazil. They included the celebrated painter Frans Post, and the astronomer George Markgraf, who produced the first serious study of the southern sky. Post painted a wealth of images of the Brazilian landscape and the surrounding vegetation and wildlife. His works are some of the earliest European paintings of Brazil and were eagerly reproduced in print by Dutch engravers.

Good condition. Some age browning and a few small stains. Otherwise very good.

Image 28,5x35,5cm, page 31x37,5cm