A Brazilian Forest with Indians in a Clearing

Encouraged by Humboldt and sponsored by the Prussian King Frederick William IV, Hildebrandt travelled to the Americas in 1844. He was in Brazil between March and October 1844, visiting Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings, Sao Paulo, Salvador and Recife, before leaving for North America. He spent the rest of his career travelling, financed by Frederick William IV, and published an illustrated travel diary, A Journey Around the World, in 1867, recording his travels from 1862-1864.

For his work in Brazil see G. Ferrez, O Brasil de Eduard Hildebrandt, Rio de Janeiro, 1988 and M.E. Santos Peixoto, Pintores Alemães no Brasil durante a século XIX, Rio de Janeiro, 1989, pp. 93-108.