Louis Choris facts for kids
Louis Choris (born 1795, died 1828) was a talented German-Russian artist and explorer. He was one of the very first artists to join scientific expeditions and draw what they discovered. His drawings helped people understand new places and cultures.
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Life and Adventures
Louis Choris was born on March 22, 1795, in a city called Yekaterinoslav. This city is now known as Dnipro in Ukraine. His parents were of German and Russian background.
Exploring the Pacific
In 1816, when he was about 21 years old, Louis Choris joined an important Russian expedition. He sailed on a ship called the Rurik. This journey took him across the Pacific Ocean and along the west coast of North America.
Choris was the official artist for this trip. The expedition was led by Lieutenant Otto von Kotzebue. Their main goal was to find a "northwest passage," which was a sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic.
His Unique Art Style
People say that Choris "painted nature exactly as he saw it." This means his art was very truthful and real. He had a fresh and lively way of showing life. Because of this, his drawings from the Rurik expedition are believed to be very accurate. They show what he truly saw.
After his long voyage, Choris traveled to Paris, France. There, he created a collection of his drawings using a printing method called lithography. He also studied art with famous painters like Gerard and Regnault.
Choris often used pastels in his artwork. In 1816, he drew many pictures of the Ohlone people living near the missions in San Francisco, California. These drawings are important records of their lives.
Tragic End
In 1827, Choris left France and headed to South America. Sadly, he was killed by robbers on March 22, 1828. This happened while he was traveling to a city called Vera Cruz, Mexico.
Where to See His Art
Today, you can find Louis Choris's amazing artworks in several public museums. These include the Anchorage Museum, the Honolulu Museum of Art, and the Oakland Museum of California.
Images for kids
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The Russian ship "Rurik" anchors near Saint Paul Island in the Bering Sea. This was to get food and supplies for their trip to the Chukchi Sea in the north. Drawing by Louis Choris in 1817.
Gallery
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Kamehameha, King of the Sandwich Islands, pen and watercolor by Louis Choris, 1816, Honolulu Museum of Art
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Kaahumanu, Woman of the Sandwich Islands, pen, ink wash and watercolor by Louis Choris, 1816, Honolulu Museum of Art
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Interior of a House of a Chief of the Sandwich Islands by Louis Choris, pen, watercolor and gouache, 1816, Honolulu Academy of Arts
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Men's dance in the Sandwich Islands, by Louis Choris, 1816, published 1822, National Library of New Zealand
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Ohlone Indians in a Tule Boat in the San Francisco Bay, by Louis Choris, 1816, published 1822
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A Chukchi family in front of their home near the Bering Strait. Drawing by Louis Choris in summer 1816.
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Port of Honolulu as seen by Louis Choris in 1816
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