Edouard Riou Collection (#2)

The Temple of the Sun on the island of Titicaca, Peru, 19th century. Artist: Edouard Riou
The Temple of the Sun on the island of Titicaca, Peru, 19th century

Water vendor, Mexico, 19th century. Artist: Edouard Riou
Water vendor, Mexico, 19th century

Indian extracting pulque, Mexico, 19th century. The sap of the agave plant is fermented to obtain a drink called pulque. This in turn can be distilled to make mescal, a colourless spirit

Los Llanos, Venezuela, 19th century. Artist: Edouard Riou
Los Llanos, Venezuela, 19th century. Los Llanos (meaning the flat plains) is a vast tropical grassland plain situated at the east of the Andes in northwestern South America

Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador, 19th century. Artist: Edouard Riou
Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador, 19th century

Serra dos Orgaos, Brazil, 19th century. Artist: Edouard Riou
Serra dos Orgaos, Brazil, 19th century. View of mountains in Rio de Janeiro state

A suburb of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 19th century. Artist: Edouard Riou
A suburb of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 19th century

Empress of France Eugenies journey to Egypt on occasion of opening of Suez Canal (1869)
Egypt, 19th century. Empress of France Eugenies journey on the occasion of the opening of the Suez Canal (1869). Watercolour by Edouard Riou for the album created to record the event

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Edouard Riou (1833-1900) was a talented French illustrator known for his intricate engravings that brought to life various scenes from literature, history, and the natural world. One of his notable works includes the illustrations he created for Jules Verne's iconic novel "20, 000 Leagues Under the Sea" in 1870. In these engravings, Riou skillfully captured the mysterious underwater world described by Verne, depicting fantastical submarines and awe-inspiring marine creatures. His attention to detail and ability to convey depth and movement made his illustrations an integral part of bringing Verne's story to life. Riou also showcased his artistic prowess in other areas such as paleontology. In 1872, he illustrated an ideal view of Earth during the Jurassic period where a pterodactyl menacingly pursued a dragonfly. Additionally, he depicted prehistoric marine reptiles like ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs with great accuracy. Not limited to illustrating fiction or ancient times, Riou also delved into capturing historical events through art. He depicted scenes such as delivering slaves in Africa or slave markets in Rio de Janeiro with both sensitivity and realism. These powerful images shed light on dark chapters in human history while showcasing Riou's ability to evoke emotion through his engravings. Beyond historical events, Riou also ventured into caricature drawings of prominent figures like Felicien David and Joseph Mery. With wit and humor, he portrayed their distinctive features while adding a touch of satire. Throughout his career spanning several decades, Edouard Riou left an indelible mark on the world of illustration with his exceptional talent for engraving. His work continues to captivate audiences today by transporting them into captivating worlds filled with adventure or shedding light on important aspects of our shared history.