Twee Ethiopiërs - Erhard Reuwich

A 1486 woodcut by Erhard Reuwich depicting two figures from Ethiopia, originally published in the 'Peregrinatio in terram sanctam'.

This woodcut originates from the 'Peregrinatio in terram sanctam', a travelogue written by Bernhard von Breydenbach and illustrated by the Dutch artist Erhard Reuwich. Published in Mainz in 1486, the work documents a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Reuwich accompanied the party, providing sketches of the people, costumes, and architecture encountered during the journey.

The print depicts two figures identified in the accompanying text as inhabitants of Ethiopia. The figure on the left is labelled as a priest, wearing a hooded cloak and simple garments. The figure on the right wears a turban and a structured tunic. Both figures stand on a patch of ground indicated by simple, repetitive hatching marks. Small, stylised plants are placed behind them to suggest an outdoor setting.

As a primary example of early printed travel literature, this image demonstrates the European attempt to document foreign cultures during the late fifteenth century. The lines are clear and functional, typical of the woodcut technique used for book illustration at the time. The text integrated into the composition provides context for the viewer, identifying the subjects and their roles. The work is notable for its direct observation, as Reuwich was one of the first artists to travel with a specific commission to record his experiences for a printed publication. This print offers a glimpse into the methods of early modern ethnographic illustration, where the artist balanced visual observation with the limitations of the woodblock medium.