Existing comment:
Karl Bodmer and Prince Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied
Map to Illustrate the Route of Prince Maximilian of Wied in the Interior of North America, from Reise in das innere NordAmerica in den Jahren 1832 bis 1834, Coblenz
1839–41
hand-colored engraving on paper
This volume contains the travel narrative from Maximilian and Bodmer's trip across the United States, and a complete set of prints after Bodmer's watercolors; eight of these are displayed in this gallery. Humboldt praised the book: "There is no other travel-book written in our language, which might be compared with this publication that is so perfect in all its details." And he commended Bodmer as "a great artist, who is able to perceive nature as something alive." Prince Max and Bodmer drew a detailed map based on their travels, including landmarks contained in the atlas of route maps also on view in this case. The route they took is indicated in pale red watercolor. The cartouche engraved in the upper right corner, like that found on Henry Tanner's map (on view elsewhere in this exhibition), brings together memorable and emblematic features of the United States, including Niagara Falls, a native village, a buffalo hunt, and a bald eagle soaring overhead.
Smithsonian Libraries, Gift of Charlotte and Lloyd Wineland |