Dusting for Humboldt's Fingerprints on American Art and Culture

Abstract

Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), a renowned Prussian geographer, naturalist, and explorer, profoundly influenced science and culture despite spending only six weeks in the United States in 1804 without formal scientific activities. Dr. Eleanor Harvey explores Humboldt’s impact on American wilderness aesthetics, revealing his enduring influence on art and literature. The 2020 exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, disrupted by the pandemic, offered reflections on resilience and humor in the face of challenges, highlighting Humboldt’s ongoing relevance to contemporary life. This lecture encapsulates Humboldt’s legacy and the unexpected connections between history, art, and resilience.