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Louis Choris facts for kids

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Louis Choris
Louis Choris, lithograph by Joseph Langlumé after a self-portrait of Choris

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.

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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