Saturday, April 23, 2022

ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT

A well known statue in Tower Grove Park of Alexander von Humboldt. He used to be a Really Big Deal, an idolized figure in the sciences and humanities. You see statues of him around the U.S., particularly in areas with German populations. There is a Humboldt Park near where my son lived in Chicago. He's not so much in vogue any more. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_von_Humboldt. I read a fascinating biography of him a few years ago, https://www.amazon.com/Invention-Nature-Adventures-Alexander-Humboldt/dp/1848549008/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1650667258&sr=1-1     

This statue has always seemed a bit odd to me. The pose looks mournful, downcast or simply tired. Don't know what's behind it.

And I don't know what I'll post for a bit. Back in the air this afternoon for some family business. You're probably not interested in pictures of the Philadelphia airport.          

2 comments:

Stefan Jansson said...

A bit like he is standing there waiting for someone.

William Kendall said...

Perhaps wondering what he's doing so far from home.