'...von der Wildheit der Scenerie eine deutliche Vorstellung'. Zur Funktionsteilung von wissenschaftlicher Zeichnung und Fotografie während einer Südamerika-Expedition 1868-1877. (On the differentiation between scientific drawings and photography during an expedition to South America, 1868-1877)

This article deals with an expedition by two German geologists,
Alphons Stübel and Wilhelm Reiss, to South America. Apart from
geological, astronomical and meteorological observations in the
Andes mountains, the expedition also carried out archeological
excavations and returned with botanical, ethnographic and
geological specimens, together with an impressive collection of
drawings, paintings and photographs. Drawing and painting were
used to document ""scientific observations'', and coloured
lithographs were published later. When they set out, the two
geologists only knew of the wet collodion-plate technique, which
meant that they could not faithfully photograph at high
altitudes. A strict division between documentary techniques was
issued: painting and drawing for overall ""scientific
observations'' and photography as a smart way to fill in (later)
the 'foreground'. Nevertheless, their collection of photographs
is remarkable. An evaluation of the collection is given.