Johann Moritz Rugendas Facts for Kids

Moritz Rugendas; Calotype by Franz Hanfstaengl (before 1850).

Johann Moritz Rugendas (born March 29, 1802 – died May 29, 1858) was a German painter. He became famous in the early 1800s for his artworks showing landscapes and different cultures in many countries across the Americas. Many people consider Rugendas one of the most important European artists to visit Latin America. He was inspired by the famous explorer Alexander von Humboldt.

Johann Moritz Rugendas: An Artist's Journey
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Johann Moritz Rugendas: An Artist's Journey

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Moritz Rugendas was born in Augsburg, a city in Germany. His family had been famous painters and engravers for many generations. He learned drawing and engraving from his father, Johann Lorenz Rugendas II. Later, he studied art at the Academy of Arts in Munich. When Rugendas was born, Augsburg was a special independent city. After the Napoleonic Wars, it became part of the new Kingdom of Bavaria.

Exploring Brazil: An Expedition and Beyond

Rugendas was inspired by other artists and explorers who traveled to tropical places. He decided to join a scientific trip to Brazil as an illustrator. This expedition was led by Baron von Langsdorff, who was a representative for the Russian Empire in Brazil. In March 1822, Rugendas arrived in Rio de Janeiro with other scientists like Édouard Ménétries, Ludwig Riedel, Christian Hasse, and Nester Rubtsov [pt].

As an illustrator, Rugendas traveled through many parts of Brazil. He visited mountains like the Serra da Mantiqueira and historical towns such as Barbacena, São João del Rei, Mariana, Ouro Preto, Caeté, Sabará, and Santa Luzia. He drew and painted what he saw, capturing the beauty of the land and the daily lives of people.

Rugendas eventually left the main expedition but continued to live in Brazil until 1825. He explored on his own, creating many drawings and watercolors of the provinces of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. On his way back to Europe, he also visited the coastal areas of Bahia and Pernambuco.

Documenting the Americas: A Grand Artistic Project

Between 1825 and 1828, Rugendas lived in Paris, Augsburg, and Munich. During this time, he learned new art techniques, including oil painting. He also published a large book called Voyage Pittoresque dans le Brésil (Picturesque Voyage to Brazil). This book, published from 1827 to 1835, had over 500 illustrations and became a very important record of Brazil in the 1800s.

After studying in Italy, Rugendas was again inspired by the explorer Alexander Humboldt. He wanted to create an even bigger project: to draw and paint the life and nature of all Latin America. He called this his goal to become "the illustrator of life in the New World." In 1831, he traveled to Haiti and then to Mexico. In Mexico, he made drawings and watercolors of places like Morelia, Teotihuacan, Xochimilco, and Cuernavaca. He also started painting with oils, creating excellent results.

However, Rugendas faced some difficulties in Mexico and had to leave the country in 1834. From 1834 to 1844, he continued his travels, visiting Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, and Bolivia.

Documenting People and Daily Life in Brazil

When Rugendas returned to Rio de Janeiro in 1845, he was welcomed by Emperor Dom Pedro II of Brazil. He painted portraits of people from the royal court and took part in an art show.

During his time in Brazil, Rugendas was very interested in observing and drawing the people he met. He aimed to show the different groups of people and their daily activities. His drawings captured details like hairstyles, clothing, and the work people did in cities and on farms. He wanted to document the diverse cultures he encountered.

Rugendas did not approve of the system of slavery that existed in Brazil at the time. He believed in the importance of freedom for all people and supported the idea of a gradual end to slavery. His artworks helped people in Europe learn about life in Brazil during the 19th century. His book, Picturesque Voyage to Brazil, shared these images and stories widely, showing the rich variety of people and landscapes.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1846, at the age of 44, Rugendas left Brazil and returned to Europe. He passed away on May 29, 1858, in Weilheim an der Teck, Germany. King Maximilian II of Bavaria bought most of his artworks, giving him a pension for life. One of his famous paintings, Columbus Taking Possession of the New World (painted in 1855), can be seen today at the Neue Pinakothek museum in Munich.