The Cartography of Alexander von Humboldt

The Cartography of Alexander von Humboldt: Images of
the Enlightenment in America offers a cartographic
perspective of Alexander von Humboldt s journey to
the Americas, 1799-1804. Presented in the context of
the European Enlightenment, this study includes
Humboldt s romanticized view of the natural world
that was an essential part of his science and
philosophy. It interprets Humboldt s maps and images
as part of a transatlantic exchange, incorporating
the theme of old Europe and the New World found
throughout his work. Humboldt effectively used
images in the presentation of his ideas, a concept
that has been adopted throughout this study. When
combined with text, images permit a closer reading
of the subject matter than text alone. Just as the
vivid and dramatic paintings of David and Goya
provide clarity to the philosophical writing of the
age, Humboldt s maps and illustrations serve as
visual images of the Enlightenment in early
nineteenth-century America.

Autorentext
Robert Sherwood earned his Ph.D. in Transatlantic History at the University of Texas Arlington, where he received the Virginia Garrett Cartographic History Award in 2006. He has published an article on the cartography of Alexander von Humboldt and has made a presentation before the Texas Map Society and the Philip Lee Phillips Society.

Klappentext
The Cartography of Alexander von Humboldt: Images of the Enlightenment in America offers a cartographic perspective of Alexander von Humboldt's journey to the Americas, 1799-1804. Presented in the context of the European Enlightenment, this study includes Humboldt's romanticized view of the natural world that was an essential part of his science and philosophy. It interprets Humboldt's maps and images as part of a transatlantic exchange, incorporating the theme of old Europe and the New World found throughout his work. Humboldt effectively used images in the presentation of his ideas, a concept that has been adopted throughout this study. When combined with text, images permit a closer reading of the subject matter than text alone. Just as the vivid and dramatic paintings of David and Goya provide clarity to the philosophical writing of the age, Humboldt's maps and illustrations serve as visual images of the Enlightenment in early nineteenth-century America.