He arrived in Venezuela in July 1842 , and stayed until September 1845 . The expedition began at the port of La Guaira , where he sketched the local inhabitants and the ruins that still remained from the 1812 Caracas earthquake . He toured most of the country , visiting sites suggested by Humboldt , amassing a huge collection of pastel , pen and pencil sketches as well as some oil paintings , depicting urban life and customs in addition to the landscapes . While there , he witnessed the return of Simón Bolívar 's remains from Santa Marta in November 1842
1812 Caracas earthquake
1812 Caracas earthquake
Ferdinand Bellermann