Antique Print of Chinese Vagabonds by Van Schley (1749)

Description: Antique print titled 'Mandians Vagabonds - Zwervende Schooijers, uit Nieuhof'. Two views of so-called 'Mandians,' either residents of the region in Anhui province, or some type of nomadic people. They seem to be distinguished by their shaved heads and long plaits. This print originates from a Dutch edition of 'Histoire Géneral des Voyages' titled 'Historische beschryving der reizen, of Nieuwe en volkoome verzameling van de aller-waardigste en zeldsaamste zee- en landtogten (..)' by Pieter de Hondt. 

Artists and Engravers: The original volumes of 'Histoire Géneral des Voyages' were written by Antoine François Prévost d'Exiles, a French author, novelist, theologian, natural historian, and a priest of the Jesuit and Benedictine orders, but continued by numerous other authors after Prévost's death. 

Jakob van der Schley (26th July 1715 - 12th February 1779), also known as Jan von Schley or Jacobus van Schley, was a Dutch engraver and draughtsman. An apprentice of the French engraver Bernard Picart, he is best known for his engravings of the majority of plates in the Dutch edition of 'l'Histoire Géneral des Voyages.' Despite producing mainly maps and views for this work, van der Schley was predominantly a portrait artist and literary illustrator.