KOLLER VIEW 3/23

14 These rare works are part of a small Brazil-themed collection that also includes other highly interesting books from the 17 th to 19 th centuries, including works by Caspar Barlaeus and Johann Baptist Spix. The first edition of Abraham Ortelius' ‘Theatrum Or- bis Terrarum’ appeared in 1570 and is considered to be the first modern atlas as well as a compendium of the geographical knowledge of its time. Expanded over decades, we are pleased to offer the most com- prehensive and complete version, the edition of 1612. Magnificently coloured, it is one of the major works of European book art. Preview of the Books and Autographs auction on 20 September 2023 Multifaceted Brazil their travels to Brazil, two spectacular compilations of views are of special note (ills. 1 and 2). The Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Debret (1768–1848) and the German Johann Moritz Rugendas (1802– 1858) had a lasting influence on the European public’s image of the young empire of Brazil. Exotic, brightly coloured landscapes made the jungles and beach- es of South America known to the wealthy classes. While Debret came to the country as a member of the French Art Mission (Missão Artística Francesa), Rugendas first worked as a scientific draughtsman on the expedition of the naturalist Baron Georg Heinrich von Langsdorff. Debret not only portrayed the country’s aristo- cratic society, but also – in a completely different yet equally splendid fashion – the indigenous tribes at their festivals, on the hunt and in every- day life. In addition, Debret focused on the black slaves, treating them as culturally independent from the other classes. Because these depic- tions are valuable sources for understanding cul- tural and ethnic developments and conflicts that continue to have an impact today, their value ex- tends far beyond that of attractive images. 1 J ean-Baptiste Debret (1768–1848). Voyage pittoresque et historique au Brésil, ou séjour d'un artiste français au Brésil, depuis 1816 jusqu'en 1831 inclusivement. 3 vol. Paris, 1834–39. Estimate: CHF 20 000/30 000 2 J ohann Moritz Rugendas (1802–1858). Voyage pittoresque dans le Brésil. 2 vol. Paris and Mülhausen, 1835. Estimate: CHF 20 000/30 000 3 A brahamOrtelius (1527–1598). Theatrum orbis terrarum. 3 parts in 1 vol. Antwerp, 1612. Estimate: CHF 250 000/350 000 (detail p. 16) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION BOOKS & AUTOGRAPHS Dr Andreas Terwey terwey@kollerauctions.com ONLINE CATALOGUES www.kollerauctions.com 2 In the imagination of many Europeans, Brazil occupies a special place as the epitome of exoticismand sensu- al delights, combined with a vague sense of the threat posed to this paradise byman’s intervention. This per- spective owes much to the modern flood of images, but also has historical roots. Among the books pub- lished by 19 th -century European artists documenting 1 3