Over 50,000 biological and ethnographic specimens were gathered by Johann Natterer during an eighteen-year exploration of Brazil, creating one of the most substantial imperial collections of the nineteenth century. While his contributions to zoology and ornithology remain embedded in scientific record, the methods employed during his expeditions are now subject to rigorous ethical scrutiny regarding colonial violence.
Early Development and Training
Born in 1787 in Laxenburg, Natterer was the son of Joseph Natterer Sr., a royal falconer whose private collection of animals and insects formed the basis of the imperial Tiercabinet in Vienna. Under the guidance of director Karl von Schreibers, Johann received early instruction in the preparation of taxidermy skins. He pursued scientific studies at the local university and material academy, subsequently gaining field experience through travels across Turkey and Italy alongside taxidermist Dominik Sochor.
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In 1817, Emperor Franz I commissioned an expedition to Brazil to mark the marriage of his daughter, Archduchess Maria Leopoldina. Natterer served as the primary zoologist, tasked with collecting natural history samples and ethnographic intelligence to serve Habsburg economic interests. Following the withdrawal of official government support in 1821 due to regional political instability, Natterer elected to remain in South America for over a decade, continuing his work independently until 1835.
Methods of Acquisition
Natterer’s systematic collection process relied heavily upon the labor of enslaved individuals and the cooperation of local colonial authorities. Historical research indicates that he advocated for harsh disciplinary measures against the enslaved workers under his supervision. Furthermore, his acquisition of human remains was often deliberate, including a documented request in 1828 for skulls from the Cabixi people, which he specifically sought during a punitive armed conflict.
Scientific Legacy
Upon his return to Vienna in 1836, Natterer deposited his vast collection at the K.k. Naturaliencabinet. Among his discoveries was the South American lungfish, alongside numerous other species that retain his name. Despite his success in cataloging the biodiversity of the Amazon basin, modern scholars emphasize that his career was inseparable from the exploitative structures of a colonial enterprise that positioned the indigenous populations of South America as subjects for study rather than peers.
Fast facts
- Born: 1787, Laxenburg, Austria
- Died: 1843, Vienna, Austria
- Field: Natural history and zoology
- Expedition duration: 1817–1835
- Collection size: Over 50,000 objects
- Primary patron: Emperor Franz I
- Key discovery: South American lungfish
Questions readers ask
What was the primary purpose of Natterer’s Brazil expedition?
The mission was a state-sponsored effort to secure trade relations and market access for the Habsburg monarchy, while simultaneously serving as a scientific and colonial survey.
Why is Natterer's reputation currently criticized?
Critics focus on his reliance on enslaved labor, his endorsement of violent treatment toward indigenous populations, and his commission of human remains during military expeditions.
