In 1813, Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle (1778-1841), a local botanist and founder of the Geneva Botanic Garden, received on loan a collection of 1,300 drawings from the Expedición Real de Botánica to Mexico (1787-1803) carried out by the Spaniard Martín de Sessé y Lacasta (1751-1808) and the Mexican José Mariano Moçiño y Suares Losada (1757-1820).
These drawings allowed him to describe several new plant species. However, in 1817, J. M. Moçiño requested the drawings back.
To preserve a record of this research material, an unprecedented collective effort arose in Geneva, and nearly a thousand drawings were copied by hand in eight days.

Among these copyists were a majority of women from Geneva's high society, whose talent and meticulousness ensured the preservation of an exceptional scientific and artistic heritage.

During the visit, you will be able to discover original drawings as well as the copies created in Geneva.