Two versions are available, one in German and the other in French.

Tableau physique des Andes et Pays voisins, 1805. (“Physical Table of the Andes and Neighboring Countries”)

This is the single best-known and most influential image to emerge from Humboldt’s journey to Latin America. He first drafted it in 1803 while in the Pacific-coast town of Guayaquil (now Ecuador), awaiting transit to Mexico. On his return to Europe he had it drawn, engraved and then printed from a single, vast copper plate measuring more than two by three feet.

The objective of the Tableau is no less than to “gather in one single tableau the sum of the physical phenomena present in equinoctial regions, from the sea level of the South Sea to the very highest peak of the Andes.” The Tableau depicts in profile two vast peaks roughly 6000 and 5500 meters high respectively, idealized representations of Chimburazo and Cotopaxi, which in reality are near-perfect volcanic cones many miles apart. The left side illustrates pictorially how the characteristic vegetation changes gradually as one ascends, while the right names the particular species characteristic to each altitude, from “the region of subterranean plants” to the “region of lichens” above 4000 meters.

Flanking the tableau are two tables, each with several columns of data on an array of phenomena, arranged on the same altitude scale as the alpine profile. The left-hand chart alone includes data on the refraction of light, lightning, cultivable plants, gravitation, the color of the sky, and air pressure. The right side addresses air pressure and the chemical composition of air, snow cover, the boiling point of water, geological features and intensity of sunlight. Though the variety of data is overwhelming, the message is clear and in keeping with Humboldt’s core principle that organisms can only be understood in the context of the ecosystems they inhabit.

Alexander von Humboldt prints : https://www.etsy.com/shop/Historilicious?search_query=Humboldt

Geography maps : https://www.etsy.com/shop/Historilicious?search_query=geography

World maps : https://www.etsy.com/shop/Historilicious?search_query=world

Botanical prints : https://www.etsy.com/shop/Historilicious?search_query=botanical

MATTE PAPER - UNFRAMED !

- 240 gsm heavy weight museum quality matte paper
- Ideal for high resolution photos
- Extremely smooth natural white surface, perfect for art
- UNFRAMED, Print only.

CANVAS - UNFRAMED !

- High quality inkjet art matte canvas 350gsm
- The optimum choice for high-end fine art and photographic reproduction
- UNFRAMED, Print only. Canvas roll has 2" of extra border used for stretching it over a wooden frame.

All prints have an extra 5 mm (0.2 inches) white margin around the main image. This helps ensure no information is lost from the edge of the print when framing. If you don’t need the margin, for example because you plan to order a frame that is the exact same size as stated image size, then please drop me a message to remove the extra white margin around the image.

The print will be send in a rigid cardboard tube.

We provide only very high quality prints so we will be grateful if you leave us a feedback after receiving your order.

Return to my shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Historilicious

Please read the shop policies for important information.

All the maps and prints we sell are vintage reprints, so their age must be kept in mind when considering condition.

Often maps (and large prints) have centerfolds; they may also often have some edge discoloration or general discoloration through age, repaired tears, foxing or irregular staining, soiling, etc.

Thank you!