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Lot Essay
The view on the present plate, a pass in Colombia through the Andes Mountains, is painted after an 1801 study by the noted German naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859).
Recognized as the father of biogeography, Humboldt was one of the first scientists to theorize that South America and Africa were once geographically linked. In 1799 he started his five year journey across Latin America, traveling with the French medical doctor and botanist Aime-Jacques-Alexandre Goujoud Bonpland. Making their way through South and Central America, their trip led to the discovery of several new species, of the preparation and use of curare as a poison, and of the fertilizing properties of guano, to name but a few. Humbolt developed his concept of 'isothermal lines', helping to lay the groundwork for modern meteorology. Feted by polititians and statesmen (when Humbolt visited Washington, D.C. on his way back to Europe in 1804, President Thomas Jefferson proclaimed him "the most important scientist whom I have met") and revered by fellow scientists (Charles Darwin claimed to "worship" Humboldt, declaring him the "greatest traveling scientist who ever lived"), Alexander Humboldt made huge contributions to modern science during his ninety years of life.
The gilder's mark may be that of Jean-Louis Moyez, recorded at Sèvres as a gilder 1818-1848. See Geoffrey de Bellaigue, French Porcelain in the Collection of Her Majesty the Queen, London, 2009, no. 299, p. 1044 for the illustration of a similar mark on a cup and saucer of 1814-1824, there identified as that of Moyez.
Charles-Louis Descoins fils aîné is recorded at Sèvres as a turner from 1776-1821.
Recognized as the father of biogeography, Humboldt was one of the first scientists to theorize that South America and Africa were once geographically linked. In 1799 he started his five year journey across Latin America, traveling with the French medical doctor and botanist Aime-Jacques-Alexandre Goujoud Bonpland. Making their way through South and Central America, their trip led to the discovery of several new species, of the preparation and use of curare as a poison, and of the fertilizing properties of guano, to name but a few. Humbolt developed his concept of 'isothermal lines', helping to lay the groundwork for modern meteorology. Feted by polititians and statesmen (when Humbolt visited Washington, D.C. on his way back to Europe in 1804, President Thomas Jefferson proclaimed him "the most important scientist whom I have met") and revered by fellow scientists (Charles Darwin claimed to "worship" Humboldt, declaring him the "greatest traveling scientist who ever lived"), Alexander Humboldt made huge contributions to modern science during his ninety years of life.
The gilder's mark may be that of Jean-Louis Moyez, recorded at Sèvres as a gilder 1818-1848. See Geoffrey de Bellaigue, French Porcelain in the Collection of Her Majesty the Queen, London, 2009, no. 299, p. 1044 for the illustration of a similar mark on a cup and saucer of 1814-1824, there identified as that of Moyez.
Charles-Louis Descoins fils aîné is recorded at Sèvres as a turner from 1776-1821.