Johann Moritz Rugendas German artist of the 19th century Date of Birth: 29.03.1802 Country: Germany

Biography of Johann Moritz Rugendas

Johann Moritz Rugendas was a German artist of the 19th century, born into a family known for their artistic traditions. He gained fame for his paintings depicting the everyday life of South America, particularly the indigenous people of Brazil.

Rugendas initially learned the art of painting from his father, and later studied under family friend Albert Adam. He then attended the Munich Academy of Fine Arts. At the age of 19, Rugendas took part in the Brazilian expedition of Baron Langsdorff as an illustrator. However, after a conflict with Langsdorff in 1825, he returned to Europe. In Paris, he met Alexander von Humboldt, who was impressed by Rugendas' series of paintings and drawings devoted to Brazil. Humboldt became a long-time friend and patron of Rugendas.

With Humboldt's support, Rugendas published the book "Voyage pittoresque dans le Brésil" ("Picturesque Journey to Brazil"), which contained 100 lithographs of his work. In 1829 and 1830, Rugendas furthered his painting education in Italy. In 1831, he embarked on another journey to America, this time at his own expense. He spent three years in Mexico before traveling to Chile, where he wandered for eight years, studying the local culture and ethnography.

Deeply interested in the culture of the indigenous people, Rugendas traveled to the southern part of the continent, which remained largely untouched by European colonizers until the second half of the 19th century. He documented the local population through sketches and left detailed records of their culture and way of life.

In 1847, Rugendas visited Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil once again. In March 1847, he arrived in England. In Paris, Rugendas unsuccessfully tried to sell his works. However, King Ludwig I of Bavaria noticed his works dedicated to the American continent and acquired 3353 of them, including oil sketches, watercolors, and pencil drawings, in exchange for an annual pension.

Upon the recommendation of Humboldt, King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia awarded Rugendas the Order of the Red Eagle, 3rd class. Rugendas passed away on May 29, 1858, due to an aortic rupture.

Rugendas' works were notable for his meticulous process. He would first create detailed pencil sketches with notes for further coloration, then make an oil sketch. Combining these materials, he would create more detailed oil sketches and, finally, the finished oil painting with meticulously drawn details.

Rugendas loved painting landscapes en plein air and captured a multitude of different landscapes in his artwork.