Antique Caracas in Venezuela Landscape of Monte Ávila, 1888

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Description

This refined 19th-century tinted lithograph depicts a wide agricultural valley on the outskirts of Caracas, Venezuela, with the imposing Monte … Read more This refined 19th-century tinted lithograph depicts a wide agricultural valley on the outskirts of Caracas, Venezuela, with the imposing Monte Ávila mountain range forming a dramatic natural backdrop. Published in 1888 as part of Karl Martin’s important scientific and travel documentation of northern South America, this view captures one of the most iconic natural landmarks of the Caracas region during the late 19th century. Monte Ávila, also known today as El Ávila National Park, has long defined the visual and climatic character of Caracas. In this composition, the softly modeled mountain slopes rise behind an orderly cultivated plain, where long parallel crop rows stretch across the foreground. A small rural settlement with a farmhouse and slender tree anchors the scene near the center, emphasizing the relationship between agriculture and nature in Venezuela’s fertile valleys. The restrained sepia-toned coloration gives the print a calm, balanced atmosphere, while the delicate graphite-like line work renders both land contours and vegetation with scientific precision. Palm trees and low tropical growth mark the transition between farmland and mountain foothills, reinforcing the unmistakable South American setting. Produced as part of a scientific expedition publication, this plate is both a historical document and an elegant decorative landscape. It illustrates how European scholars and artists documented Venezuela’s geography, agriculture, and natural resources during a period of increasing economic and scientific interest in the region. This print is especially desirable for collectors of: – Venezuelan historical views – Caracas and Monte Ávila imagery – South American colonial-era landscapes – 19th-century travel illustration – Dutch scientific and exploration prints

Condition report: Good original condition. Light overall age toning throughout the sheet. Minor scattered foxing visible in the margins. Slight edge wear consistent with age. No tears or restorations observed. Image remains clean and well preserved.

Technique: Tinted lithograph Maker: Karl Martin, Leiden, 1888 See less