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Object Timeline
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Print, The Discovery of America, plate 1 from the "Nova Reperta" (New Inventions of Modern Times)
This is a Print. It was designed by Jan van der Straet, called Stradanus and print maker: Theodor Galle and published by Philips Galle and dedicatee: Luigi Alamanni. It is dated ca. 1590 and we acquired it in 1960. Its medium is engraving on laid paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.
This European 16th-century print is from a series illustrating recent inventions and technological advancements that would aid in the advancement of Europe. The inclusion of The Discovery of America suggests that the conquest of the New World would be similarly exploited for European benefit. Amerigo Vespucci here sets foot for the first time in the New World and encounters an indigenous woman, “America” herself. He is fully dressed, including wearing armor under his robe, and in possession of various markers of power, religion, and navigation, while America rises as if from slumber, nude except for a feathered loincloth and headdress. Vespucci’s accounts of his travels in the New World led to the formulation of the stereotypes of American primitiveness, including nudity and cannibalism.
This object was
donated by
Estate of James Hazen Hyde.
It is credited Gift of the Estate of James Hazen Hyde.
Its dimensions are
19.9 x 27.1 cm (7 13/16 x 10 11/16 in.) Mat: 35.6 × 45.7 cm (14 × 18 in.)
It is signed
Printed in script, lower left
It is inscribed
Printed, lower center below the image: 'AMERICA. / Americen Americus retexit / Semel vocavit in de semper excitam.' Printed within the image: bottom left, 'Ioan. Stradanus invent. / Theodor Galle sculp.'
Cite this object as
Print, The Discovery of America, plate 1 from the "Nova Reperta" (New Inventions of Modern Times); Designed by Jan van der Straet, called Stradanus (Flemish, 1523–1605); Print Maker: Theodor Galle; Published by Philips Galle (Flemish, 1537 - 1612); Dedicatee: Luigi Alamanni (Italian, 1558–1603); Netherlands; engraving on laid paper; 19.9 x 27.1 cm (7 13/16 x 10 11/16 in.) Mat: 35.6 × 45.7 cm (14 × 18 in.); Gift of the Estate of James Hazen Hyde; 1960-1-8
This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Rebeca Méndez Selects.
