Created during Alexander von Humboldt's historic expedition to the Americas and Cuba-hailed by many as the scientific discovery of AmericaA"-these intricate and delicately tinted prints record his revolutionary findings as he traveled through jungles, across rivers, and over mountainous terrain. The illustrations in the book give the English and Latin botanical names of the plants and are followed by an exhaustive index. Published to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Humboldt's death, this collection of botanical prints contains many works that have never been published before. Internationally renowned botanist H. Walter Lack lends his expertise to a fascinating essay that discusses Humboldt's significant contributions to the world of botany and scientific research. Technically precise, the prints are equally appealing to anyone who appreciates fine art and botanical illustration.
Skip (or skim, if you must) the text and enjoy the pictures, which make up more than half of the book. There’s a lot written about Humboldt & Bonpland that’s much more approachable and comprehensive than the text in this book. In the text section, it is fascinating to see the digital scans of their notebooks and collected specimens. And, if course, the full page plates are gorgeous!