As mentioned in the last post, the great 19th century landscape painter, José María Velasco, was more than just a painter. He studied, and had a keen interest in, geology, zoology and botany. That scientific side of Velasco is the focus of the exhibit now at Mexico City's Kaluz Museum.
Self portrait
1894
Velasco was also interested in archaeology, and portrayed a number of pre-Hispanic sites.
The so-called "Bath of Nezahualcoyotl" at the ruins of Tetzcotzinco
1878
The pyramids of Teotihuacan before they had been uncovered by archaeologists
1878
Drawing of the ruins of Cempoala
1893
In 1869 Velasco published "Flora of the Valley of Mexico", a series of lithographs depicting the plant life of the valley. In recognition of his work, he was admitted to the Mexican Society of Natural History. The exhibit includes a number of those lithographs, as well as preliminary sketches that he made.
Velasco also published a series of lithographs of hummingbirds native to Mexico.
The National Geologic Institute of Mexico commissioned him to do a series paintings depicting life during past geological periods.
"Flora and Fauna of the Paleozoic Carboniferous Period"
1912
"Marine Life of the Mesozoic Jurassic Period"
undated
The artist's paint box and palette
This excellent show will be on display until May.
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