P.A. Poiteau and P.J.F. Turpin | Original drawings from Humboldt and Bonpland's Plantes équinoxiales, 1808–1815

Pierre Antoine Poiteau and Pierre Jean François Turpin

A collects ion of original drawings for Humboldt and Bonpland’s Plantes équinoxiales, recueillies au Mexique, dans l'ile de Cuba, dans les provinces de Caracas, de Cumana et de Barcelone, aux Andes de la Nouvelle-Grenade, de Quito et du Pérou, et sur les bords du Rio-Negro, de l'Orénoque et de la rivière des Amazones. Paris, 1808–1817

2 volumes, large folio (630 x 465mm.), 141 original pen and ink drawings, including 10 not engraved in the printed work, a few within gilt borders, contemporary citron morocco gilt, bindings a bit soiled

The immense survey of South and Central African flora was conducted between 1799 and 1804, notable as the first of the region to be conducted along western scientific principles. These are therefore perhaps the most important drawings of South American flora ever made.

Humboldt’s expedition made his name, not least because he published so prolifically and promptly after his return. His reputation grew to the extent that during his lifet.mes he became one of the most famous men in Europe. Aimé Bonpland (1773–1858), the botanist on the expedition, was a more reticent character, who had to be chivvied into providing the descriptions of the 6,000 plants he collects ed, most of which were hitherto unknown in Europe.

The reports of the expedition ran to many volumes: Plantes équinoxiales, recueillies au Mexique, is the first section of the sixth part, and can be treated as a separate work in its own right. Sabin describes it as "one of the greatest works on American botany ever put forth."

For a work of such importance, two prominent artists were employed to draw the specimens. Pierre Antoine Poiteau (1766-1854) was a French botanist and artist, a pupil of van Spaendonck and follower of Redouté, who spent the early part of his career collects ing specimens in the Caribbean. He later served as head gardener at Versailles and head of the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle of Paris. He was a frequent collaborator with Pierre Jean François Turpin (1775–1840), the pair having met in Haiti in the 1790s. Poiteau schooled Turpin in botany and its art, and the latter went on to be considered to be one of the greatest botanical artists of the Napoleonic era. In 1802 or shortly after, following unrest in Haiti that claimed the life of his wife and two children, Turpin fled to America. Here, in Philadelphia, he met Humboldt who commissioned him to make the drawings in these volumes, in collaboration with his old friend Poiteau.

The resulting delicate monochrome drawings represent a high watermark in French scientific illustration, with a precision and artistry which is the peer of any of the best botanical art of the period. The specimens shown were collects ed in Venezuela, Cuba, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Mexico, as well as the Orinoco and Amazon basins, and include palms, orchids, cinchona, mutisia, and numerous species of oak.

The provenance of the collects ion is fascinating. Both Matthew Lewis senior and junior had property and business interests in the Caribbean, perhaps explaining their ownership of these drawings. While publication of the printed work continued until 1817, it is possible that the drawings had been completed and engraved earlier than this and were acquired by Lewis senior, or perhaps Lewis junior acquired them and affixed the family bookplate.

It seems likely that the drawings passed to the Earls Cowper through Monk Lewis’s intense friendship with William Lamb, 2nd Viscount.mes lbourne (1779–1848), whose sister Emily (1787–1869) married the 5th Earl Cowper in 1805. Lamb’s seat, Brocket Hall, came to the Earls Cowper following Emily’s death, but a large part of the collects ion there was relocated to Panshanger, Hertfordshire (now demolished).

LITERATURE:
Printed work: Dunthorne 143; Great Flower Books, p.51; Nissen BBI 954; Sabin 33760; Stafleu and Cowan TL2 3141

PROVENANCE:
Matthew Lewis (1750-1812), diplomat and plantation owner, father of Matthew “Monk” Lewis (1775–1818), armorial bookplate; the Earls Cowper, Panshanger bookplate.

ESTIMATE:
£100,000-200,000