Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2009.41 |
Object Name |
Medallion |
Title |
Medallion with Portrait of Alexander von Humboldt |
Artist |
Unknown |
Date |
after 1859 |
Description |
Profile portrait of Alexander von Humboldt, with "Alexander von Humboldt/1769 - 1859" around perimeter. |
Label |
Alexander von Humboldt was a German explorer and naturalist. Born in 1769, he developed a strong interest in botany at an early age. In 1799, he began a five-year journey throughout Central and South America, exploring the Andes and tropical rainforests, studying plants, determining longitudes and latitudes, measuring geomagnetism, observing temperatures and barometric pressures, and noting social and economic conditions in Mexico. After returning to Europe, he observed the fluctuations of the Earth’s geomagnetic field using a magnetometer. Through his urging, the British government established permanent observation posts in Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica. He is perhaps best known for his book Cosmos, which was largely responsible for the popularization of science in the 19th century. Within a few years the book had been translated into nearly all European languages. Humboldt also became famous in America, especially after his journey to the US in 1804. Inspired by his research and travels, explorers and immigrants to the newly opened American West named a number of places after Humboldt. This medal, by an unknown engraver and struck for an unknown purpose, may have been modeled after an 1829 medallion of Humboldt by engraver Chr. Pfeuffer. |
Medium |
Metal |
Dimensions |
D-1.5 Dia-17 inches |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society |
Search Terms |
19th century nineteenth century sculpture scientist |