Within the historic collection of the Canarias and America Documentation Center (CEDOCAM) lies a notable work: La Creación. Historia natural, published in Barcelona between 1880 and 1883 by the publisher Montaner y Simón. This book is described as a visual and scientific journey through life and the planet, translated and adapted from the work of the German naturalist Alfred Edmund Brehm.
La Creación. Historia natural is an illustrated encyclopedia in nine volumes, featuring a large format of 32 cm. It stands out for its clear and accessible text, and especially for its spectacular illustrations: full-color engravings with remarkable precision and beauty.
The original work was written by Brehm, a renowned 19th-century naturalist and author of Thierleben. In Spain, the text was translated, adapted, and expanded by "Spanish learned authors," as stated on the cover, to resonate with the Spanish-speaking reader of the era.
The publication, dating back to 1880, presented full-color images of animals like a roaring lion or a hovering hummingbird, and phenomena such as an erupting volcano, at a time when color photography and motion capture were not yet developed. It served as a gateway to the natural world, explaining nature without resorting to myths or religion.
The CEDOCAM, located in La Laguna, holds over four thousand items in its historic collection, including rare works, first editions by Galdós, maps, prints, and historical documents from key figures like Nicolás and Patricio Estévanez or the musician Teobaldo Power. La Creación shines among this heritage for its scientific and artistic value, and as a testament to Canarias's connection with Europe's major publishing and scientific currents in the 19th century.
The presence of this work at CEDOCAM highlights the interest in science, education, and visual culture in Canarias, as well as the islands' role as a bridge between Europe and America. Visitors can explore these pages and be transported to an era when nature was still a mystery to be deciphered.
La Creación is a visual manifesto of human curiosity, demonstrating that even before the internet, documentaries, or social media, people were eager to understand the world and capture it with the greatest possible beauty. The illustrations serve as a reminder of the fragility and value of our surroundings, especially in today's context of environmental threats.
The work is available digitally through the Virtual Library of Bibliographic Heritage of the Ministry of Culture. A visit to CEDOCAM in La Laguna is also recommended to personally experience this bibliographic treasure.
