Skip to main content

Secondary sourcePainting18th century

Vasco Núñez de Balboa recortado

Juan Barcelón y Abellán · 18th century

An 18th-century engraving of Balboa in armor, part of a Spanish series depicting illustrious Spaniards.

This engraving is part of a series that helped shape Balboa's heroic image in Spanish history.

Ask Vasco Nunez de Balboa about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Black-and-white engraving of a bearded man in polished armor and a plumed helmet, turned to his left, standing before a tree with his left hand extended. He wears a lace-like collar and holds a sword hilt at his waist.
Juan Barcelón y Abellán, Vasco Núñez de Balboa recortado, 18th century.

About this source

What it is

This is an 18th-century engraving by Juan Barcelón, showing Vasco Núñez de Balboa in armor with a plumed helmet. It is a cropped version of a portrait from the series Retratos de los españoles ilustres.

Why it matters

This engraving reflects how Enlightenment Spain wanted to remember its explorers as heroic figures. It shows how later generations shaped the image of Balboa, long after his death, to fit a national narrative of glory and discovery.

Look closer

  • What does the pose and clothing suggest about how the artist wanted Balboa to be seen?
  • Why might a series like this be created a long time after Balboa's death?
  • What is missing from this heroic portrayal of Balboa?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Vasco Nunez de Balboa on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Vasco Nunez de Balboa sources

Meet the AI Vasco Nunez de Balboa →
Black ink line drawing of a handwritten signature on white background. Two large looping flourishes with long tails are joined by a smaller cursive script inscription in the center.Document

Primary source

Signature of Vasco Núñez de Balboa

Vasco Núñez de Balboa

Illustrated title page of Peter Martyr's 'De orbe novo decades', printed in Alcalá 1530. Central printed text in a cream panel, framed by woodcut borders with scenes of figures, animals, and architecture.Book

Secondary source

Decades of the New World

Peter Martyr d'Anghiera · 1530 (complete edition)

Open book in a display case showing two pages of old printed text in French with decorative woodcut initials and an illustration of a cactus-like plant. A label to the right reads partially 'Chron... Amer... Gonzalo Valdés... L'histoire... Printed... Paris... Purchased... Oviedo...'Book

Secondary source

Historia general y natural de las Indias

Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés · 1556 (French edition); original work 16th century

Title page of the Suma de Geographia in black-and-white woodcut style, with an ornate decorative border, a woodcut of an armillary sphere held by two hands, and the printed title text below.Book

Primary source

Suma de Geographia

Martín Fernández de Enciso · 1519

Black and white engraving of armored European men with pikes and helmets standing in a row at left and center, while dogs attack several nude figures lying on the ground in the foreground. Some figures appear wounded or dead.Painting

Secondary source

Balboamurder

Theodor de Bry · 1594

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Vasco Nunez de Balboa now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions