"Literature Meets Nature": Humboldt's Animal Life in the Tropics
21 May 2019
Photo: Universitätsbibliothek Bern
After his American journey, Alexander von Humboldt illustrated numerous animals like this monkey in his "Recueil d'observation de zoologie et d'anatomie comparée".
From South American manatees to electric electric eels: Alexander von Humboldt studied all kinds of animals that crossed his travel routes. Yet his zoological work remained virtually unnoticed after his death. In the series "Literature Meets Nature", Bernese literary scholar Dr. Sarah Bärtschi, together with Prof. Dr. Matthias Glaubrecht, presents her recently published volume "Animal Life": "Electric Eels, Snapping Crocodiles and Fried Monkeys - Humboldt's Animal Life in the Tropics".
In his time, Humboldt's zoological studies were animal research and an exotic reading and study pleasure at the same time - as the special exhibition "Humboldt Lives" currently shows at the Zoological Museum. Seeing animals from distant worlds in their natural habitat and studying monkeys, crocodiles and the Andean condor on graphic works, and tracing Humboldt's calculations and observations, was a special experience at the beginning of the 19th century.
When: Wednesday, May 29 at 6 p.m., admission 5:30 p.m.
Where: Museum of Nature Hamburg - Zoology in Bundesstraße 52, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
Admission free!
More information about the exhibition "Humboldt lives!" and the accompanying program: