The text delves into the construction of botanical knowledge and its intersections with Puerto Rican history, society, nature and art from the late 18th century to the early 20th century.
After a successful presentation at the Museo de Arte del Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez and the Museo de Historia, Antropología y Arte of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), Río Piedras Campus, the exhibition Flora Borinqueniana: Three Centuries of Botanical Illustrations is converted into a book. The exhibition, curated by Dr. Eugenio Santiago Valentín, explores the development of botanical knowledge of the archipelago and its historical context from the late 18th century to the first three decades of the 20th century.
Dr. Eugenio Santiago Valentín, professor of the Department of Biology at the Río Piedras Campus of the UPR and director of the Herbarium of the Botanical Garden, oversaw the writing of the book in addition to curating the exhibition. True to the author’s interests, the publication presents a multidisciplinary look at the development of botanical knowledge in the islands of Puerto Rico, an exchange of knowledge that intertwines botany, art, history, culture and society in Puerto Rico from the late 18th century to the first third of the 20th century. This multidimensional look is novel and tells a story that had not been told until this project.
The activity at the Hacienda La Esperanza Nature Reserve in Manatí, included presentations by Fernando Lloveras San Miguel, President of Para la Naturaleza; writer Marta Aponte Alsina; Ivonne Sanabria, Coordinator of Historical and Cultural Affairs of the organization; and the author of the book, Dr. Eugenio Santiago.
The text delves into the construction of botanical knowledge and its intersections with history, society, nature and Puerto Rican art. At the same time, it presents historical documents, images and illustrations of some of the naturalists who advanced this scientific knowledge and serve as a reflection of the different historical moments: the expeditions of Martín de Sessé and Nicolás Baudin; as well as the works of Domingo Bello y Espinosa, Agustín Stahl, Ana Roqué de Duprey and Frances E. Horne.
“The publication links the knowledge of previous -and dispersed- contributions of other authors with my original work, the result of decades of research. The work is illustrated with a representative selection of the approximately 250 objects featured in the exhibition, which included botanical illustrations, as well as archaeological objects, paintings by renowned artists, maps, books, photographs, musical scores, herbarium specimens and live plants. This publication seeks to inspire citizens to know, value and protect the Puerto Rican botanical heritage,” said Dr. Eugenio Santiago Valentín.
Flora borinqueniana: three centuries of botanical illustrations delves into the development of botanical knowledge and its intersections with history, society, nature and Puerto Rican art. At the same time, it presents historical documents, images and illustrations of some of the naturalists who advanced this scientific knowledge and that serve as a reflection of the different historical moments: the expeditions of Martín de Sessé, Nicolás Baudin, Domingo Bello y Espinosa, Agustín Stahl, Ana Roqué de Duprey and Frances E. Horne.
In the images: postcards with illustrations of Flora borinqueniana; Para la Naturaleza’s creative and production team involved in the creation of the book and the exhibition; author and curator Dr. Eugenio Santiago signs copies of the book during the event at Hacienda La Esperanza.
“The connection between the natural and cultural heritage of Puerto Rico is present in our mission as an organization. Flora borinqueniana: three centuries of botanical illustrations is part of a long tradition of cultural projects that emphasize the importance of conservation and make important pieces of Puerto Rican heritage accessible to the public,” said Para la Naturaleza’s President, Fernando Lloveras San Miguel.
The public will be able to enjoy an excerpt of the Flora borinqueniana exhibit from October 20 to 26, 2024 at the Museo de Historia Natural de la Ciudad de Aguadilla.
Dr. Eugenio Santiago Valentín, curator of the exhibition Flora borinqueniana: three centuries of botanical illustrations, gives us details about this project that explored the rich botanical history of Puerto Rico, from the 18th to the 20th century
The exhibition Flora borinqueniana: three centuries of botanical illustrations is a collaboration between Para la Naturaleza, the Museo de Arte de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, and the Museo de Historia, Antropología y Arte de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedra Campus. This book and exhibition were made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy Demands Wisdom, (project GI-271303-21); and, in part, by a donation received by the Para la Naturaleza Botanical Institute.