Brevísima relación de la destruyción de las Indias

Bartolomé de Las Casas’ Brevísima relación de la destruyción de las Indias (1552) stands as a powerful and visceral testimony condemning the atrocities committed by Spanish conquistadors in the New World. This succinct yet incendiary document functions both as an urgent act of denunciation and as a dire warning directed at **Prince Philip**. Through a stark accumulation of vivid descriptions –atrocities, killings, and acts of torture– Las Casas contrasts the inherent kindness and innocence of indigenous peoples with the malevolence and greed exhibited by colonizers.

In this revolutionary tract, Las Casas (1474-1566) articulates his profound outrage at the unjust and impious nature of colonial policies, especially regarding the encomienda system. He advocates for a pacific and humane approach to evangelization, aligning his moral stance with the principles of humanism and universalism.

This Edition: The present annotated edition includes the complete suite of engravings, originally published by the renowned Protestant publisher Theodor de Bry (1528–1598), supplemented with detailed commentaries that contextualize their visual and ideological significance.

About the Editor: Jean-Paul Duviols is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Paris IV Sorbonne. A distinguished scholar in colonial history, travel literature, and iconographic analysis.