Lot 480: HUMBOLDT, ALEXANDER VON. 1769-1859. Bust, Berlin, 1850, cast in bronze, titled "Alexander von Humboldt" on front edge, marked "1823 C.R. Fec 1850" on back edge, with foundry mark "H. NOACK BERLIN" stamped at back of base.

HUMBOLDT, ALEXANDER VON. 1769-1859.

Bust, Berlin, 1850, cast in bronze, titled "Alexander von Humboldt" on front edge, marked "1823 C.R. Fec 1850" on back edge, with foundry mark "H. NOACK BERLIN" stamped at back of base. Height: 485 mm.Alexander von Humboldt was an explorer, geologist and naturalist who, along with Goethe and Schiller, was one of the key figures in Weimar Classicism in the late 18th century. He traveled extensively, to South America, Mexico, the United States, and Russia. In his later years he lectured at the University of Berlin, which would later be renamed Humboldt University of Berlin after his older brother Wilhelm, who led the initiative to found the school in 1809. Statues of both brothers can be seen on the campus of the University today.Although the identity of the artist, "C.R." is not known, the dates suggest that this was probably sculpted for the foundry in 1850 based upon an earlier sculpture made in 1823, when Humboldt was living in Paris.