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Exploring History: Unveiling Private Notebooks of Famous Explorers

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The Art of Exploration Through Illustrations

Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717)

Dutch scientific illustrator Maria Sibylla Merian was renowned for her highly detailed drawings of wildlife. Initially, she illustrated specimens sent back from the Americas, but later ventured to South America to sketch various species in their natural habitats. Below, you can see her stunning representation of a caiman and a false coral snake.

Dutch scientific illustrator Maria Sibylla Merian was known for her extremely detailed drawings of wildlife.
Dutch scientific illustrator Maria Sibylla Merian was known for her extremely detailed drawings of wildlife. She initially drew specimens sent back from the Americas, but would later travel to South America to observe various species in the wild.

Olivia Tonge: A Journey Across Asia

After the death of her husband, Olivia Tonge embarked on extensive travels throughout Asia, capturing her experiences through art. Although her shortsightedness hindered her ability to capture landscapes effectively, she excelled at illustrating intricate details, such as this captivating depiction of animals and jewels from India.

After the death of her husband, Olivia Tonge traveled throughout Asia, all the while drawing what she saw.
After the death of her husband, Olivia Tonge traveled throughout Asia, all the while drawing what she saw. While shortsightedness kept her from doing landscapes justice, she had a penchant for capturing the little things — like these animals and jewels she saw in India.

Henry Oldfield: Insights from Nepal

British surgeon Henry Oldfield travelled to Asia as part of the Indian Army Medical Service in 1846 and was dispatched to Kathmandu, Nepal. His artwork reflects both the stunning architecture and everyday life seen outside the Dhunsar court of law in Kathmandu.

Henry Oldfield, a British surgeon, traveled to Asia as part of the Indian Army Medical Service in 1846.
Henry Oldfield, a British surgeon, traveled to Asia as part of the Indian Army Medical Service in 1846, and was dispatched to Kathmandu, Nepal. Here he captures both the eye-catching architecture and quotidian life outside the Dhunsar court of law in Kathmandu.

William Burchell: A Mobile Laboratory

William Burchell dedicated 120 hours over four days to create a watercolor of his wagon, which served as a mobile storage unit, laboratory, and home during his travels throughout Africa in 1820.

William Burchell spent 120 hours over four days painting this watercolor of the wagon he used to travel throughout Africa.
William Burchell spent 120 hours over four days painting this watercolor of the wagon he used to travel throughout Africa in 1820. The wagon acted as a moving storage unit, laboratory and home for the ecologist.

Adela Breton: Capturing Mexican Ruins

British archaeologist Adela Breton meticulously painted various ruins in Mexico, including those at Mitla, Oaxaca. Created long before the era of color photography, her paintings provide some of the only records of specific color elements of these historical sites, many of which have since faded.

British archeologist Adela Breton painstakingly painted various ruins in Mexico.
British archeologist Adela Breton painstakingly painted various ruins in Mexico, including these Mitla, Oaxaca. Created long before the advent of color photography, her paintings are some of the only records of the specific color elements of these sites, which have since faded away.

John James Audubon: A Pioneer of Nature Art

John James Audubon is celebrated as one of America’s most significant nature artists. His renowned work, “Birds of America,” continues to be regarded as one of the most important contributions to the field, featuring an impressive collection of 1,065 birds.

John James Audubon has been called one of America's most significant nature artists.
John James Audubon has been called one of America’s most significant nature artists. “Birds of America,” his most famous work, is still considered one of the important works on the subject today. It features 1,065 birds.


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