Francisco Pisarro

Method Copper engraving
Artist John Ogilby
Published [London. 1671]
Dimensions Image 290 x 177 mm, Plate 296 x 180 mm, Sheet 350 x 215 mm
Notes A fine seventeenth century portrait of the famous explorer and conquistador Francisco Pizarro (c.1471 - 1541), from John Ogilby's 'America: Being the Latest, and Most Accurate Description of the New World'. Pizarro is depicted In a suit of armour with sword and baton, with a battle scene in the background. The portrait is surrounded by an ornately decorated border of columns and wreathes.

Ogilby's America was an English translation of Arnoldus Montanus' Die Nieuwe en onbekende Weereld, which had been produced in Amsterdam earlier the same year. Both texts are richly illustrated with maps, views and portraits, and are generally recognised as the first encyclopedias of the Americas. Although close to an exact copy of Montanus' work, Ogilby expanded his atlas by including material on the English colonies. With over 122 engravings, Ogilby's America was the most accurate publication available on the New World.

Francisco Pizarro (1475-1541) was a Spanish navigator who set out in 1523 to explore the west coast of Southern America and eventually establish a Spanish settlement there. He successfully conquered Peru by ambushing the last Incan Emperor during The Battle of Cajamarca (16th November 1532), and founded Lima as the new capital. Tensions built when later explorers travelled to Peru, eventually leading to Pizarro being murdered by the opposing faction in 1541.

Condition: Excellent impression. Light toning to sheet. Light creasing to bottom left corner of sheet.
Framing unmounted
Price £120.00
Stock ID 44550

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