Frederick Catherwood produced artwork depicting views of ancient monuments with great accuracy. Catherwood was an Englishman born in 1799 into an affluent family. His schooling was completed at Oxford University where he studied architecture. However, although he was trained as an architect, his real passion in life was art, particularly portraying ancient cultures. Catherwood was a man who loved to travel which was a significant influence on his art
At the age of 40, Catherwood accompanied a successful writer named John Lloyd Stephens to Central America. Catherwood was going to illustrate a book that Stephens was writing on the ancient Mayan ruins. What Stephens and Catherwood found on their trip amazed them. They discovered wonderfully majestic but deserted cities. The ruins in these cities were the inspiration of Catherwood 's art. He did this by using a camera lucida (an optic device that preceded the invention of photography) to aid him in his drawings. The artwork that Catherwood produced was vivid and intriguing and became a best seller.
Central America was not the only place that Catherwood went to get inspiration for his artwork. Before devoting himself to the discovery of the Maya, he disguised himself as a Moslem to explore the Near East. He also documented Robert Hay’s expeditions in Egypt. Later in life, Catherwood became a civil engineer.
Frederick Catherwood died on September 20, 1854. While sailing from Liverpool to the United States, his ship was rammed by a French vessel, the Vesta. Catherwood’s art continues to be admired even today as it beautifully portrays the mysteries of ancient cultures.
Former link, www.ukans.edu/~hoopes/506/Explorers.htm (2006)
Former link, www.primarysource.org/Web%20Work/prototype/frames/publications/maya.html (2006)
users.rcn.com/leandrok/Pages/Catherwood.html
Former link, www.northcoast.com/~spdtom/a-cod4.html (2006)
Written by: Nicole Thompson