Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur was a French artist, writer, and ethnographer who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He is best known for his illustrated works on the cultures and peoples of the world, including his famous series of hand-colored engravings depicting the costumes of various nations.
Grasset de Saint-Sauveur was a prolific author and artist, and his works covered a wide range of topics, from botany and natural history to travel and exploration. He is perhaps best remembered for his contributions to the field of ethnography, in which he produced numerous works documenting the customs, dress, and lifestyles of peoples from around the world.
One of Grasset de Saint-Sauveur’s most famous works is “Voyage Pittoresque et Historique au Brésil,” a four-volume series published between 1816 and 1822 that documented the landscapes, people, and cultures of Brazil. The series included hundreds of illustrations and engravings, and was widely celebrated for its attention to detail and accuracy.
Even centuries after his death, Grasset de Saint-Sauveur’s works remain highly prized by collectors and scholars of art and history. His engravings of the Dahomey Amazons, which depict the women in their distinctive military dress, are considered important visual records of an important aspect of African history and culture.
Depiction of the Dahomey Amazons by Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur, c. 1797