Christophe Paulin de la Poix de Freminville (1747-1848)
P. Nestor. Butterfly Bresil et Guyane
Pencil and grey wash on paper
Paper size: 6 7/8 x 8 in.
Sheet size: 8 x 10 1/2 in.

Christophe Paulin Chevalier de las Poix de Freminville, sailor and naturalist began his career on the seas in 1801, inspired by the voyages of Captain James Cook, which he is reputed to have read for the first time at the age of 8. Rising steadily through the ranks he became a captain in 1830. During his many years at sea Freminville was involved in several scientific expeditions; one of the earliest this voyage to the Artic in 1819. Between the years 1822 and 1823 he sailed with the Frigate "La Nereide" to the coast of west Africa. "La Nereide" departed the anchorage of the island of Goree on the morning of the 6th of May, 1822. Between 1823-1829 he sailed along the Central and Southern American coastline, and as on all his voyages, drawing coastal profiles and views, and specimens of exotic creatures, some of which were named in his honour, including a number of marine species, but most notably the Eagle Ray (Myliobatis Fremonvillei).