Writer-Ecologist: The Birth of Scientific Ecology in August Strindberg's Jardin des Plantes
How a Swedish playwright developed proto-ecological concepts through scientific observation in Paris's historic botanical garden
Naturalist Observations
Experimental Photography
Scientific Literature
Ecological Concepts
Introduction: A Playwright in Nature's Laboratory
As ecological science was just emerging as a formalized discipline, a visionary Swedish playwright found in the Jardin des Plantes in Paris a living laboratory for his naturalist explorations. August Strindberg (1849-1912), primarily known for plays like Miss Julie, devoted a significant portion of his life to the scientific study of nature, developing concepts that anticipated modern ecology 2 . During his Parisian period in the 1890s, this historic botanical garden became the privileged observation ground where his writer's intuitions met the rigor of the naturalist, creating a unique synthesis between literature and science.
"The Jardin des Plantes served as a catalyst for this unique synthesis, offering the Swedish writer an unparalleled field for observation and experimentation."
Interdisciplinary Approach
Strindberg's work bridged literature, science, and occultism, creating a holistic understanding of natural systems that predated modern ecological thinking.
Proto-Ecological Concepts
His observations at the Jardin des Plantes led to insights about species interdependence, adaptation, and natural cycles that would later become central to ecology.
Strindberg: A Mind Between Science and Occultism
The Scientific Formation of a Playwright
Long before his literary fame, Strindberg displayed a keen interest in natural sciences. His studies at Uppsala University familiarized him with the thinking of Charles Darwin, whose influence would be felt in his naturalist works 2 . His knowledge of French gave him direct access to French scientific debates of the time, particularly those concerning botany and the relationships between living organisms 5 .
In 1874, he obtained a position as assistant librarian at the Royal Library of Stockholm, where he deepened his scientific knowledge 2 . This position gave him access to the most recent works in naturalism, which he gradually integrated into his literary approach.
Key Scientific Influences
The Parisian Period and Immersion in the Jardin des Plantes
In the autumn of 1894, Strindberg settled alone in Paris, where he almost completely abandoned dramatic writing to devote himself to occultist and alchemical research 5 . The Jardin des Plantes, with its vast botanical and zoological collections, became his privileged observation ground. There he studied the interrelationships between plant species and their environment, developing concepts that foreshadowed scientific ecology.
Strindberg regularly attended Parisian scientific circles, collaborating with figures like Gérard Encausse (Papus) and the alchemist François Jollivet-Castelot 5 . He published articles in specialized journals like L'Initiation and L'Hyperchimie, testifying to his scientific engagement during this period.
- Gérard Encausse (Papus) - Occultist
- François Jollivet-Castelot - Alchemist
- Camille Flammarion - Astronomer
Strindberg's Scientific Journey
1870s
Studies at Uppsala University, exposure to Darwinian theory 2
1874
Appointed assistant librarian at Royal Library of Stockholm, deepening scientific knowledge 2
1894
Moves to Paris, begins intensive studies at Jardin des Plantes 5
1894-1896
Develops "celestographies" and collaborates with French scientific circles 5
1897
Publishes Inferno, describing his Parisian experiences 5
Jardin des Plantes: Living Laboratory of Naturalism
An Exceptional Scientific Heritage
Founded in 1635 as the Jardin royal des plantes médicinales by Louis XIII, the Jardin des Plantes transformed over the centuries into a center for research and dissemination of naturalist knowledge 6 . In 1793, the Convention made it the heart of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, an institution dedicated to the study and preservation of biodiversity 6 .
At the time Strindberg frequented it, the Garden already offered a remarkable diversity of plant species organized in specialized collections.
Garden Collections
Botanical School
Presented about 2,500 species according to their scientific classification 6
Alpine Garden
Gathered more than 2,000 plant species adapted to mountain conditions 6
Great Greenhouses
Housed thousands of tropical and subtropical species 6
Ecological Garden
Presented the diversity of natural environments of the Paris Basin 6
The Naturalist-Observer's Tools
Strindberg used the Garden as an immense open-air laboratory, where he could observe Darwinian principles of competition and adaptation in a controlled but living environment. His observations of the relationships between plants, their environment, and pollinating insects anticipated modern concepts of ecosystem and biodiversity.
Strindberg's Observation Focus Areas
Strindberg's Experimental Method: The "Celestographies"
A Visionary Approach to Natural Observation
Between 1894 and 1896, Strindberg developed an innovative photographic technique he called "celestographies" 5 . Convinced that conventional photography limited human perception, he sought to directly capture the influence of celestial bodies on the natural world.
Experimental Methodology
Strindberg radically simplified the photographic process:
- Elimination of the camera: He directly exposed photosensitive plates to nocturnal light, without any lens intermediary
- Prolonged exposure: He left the plates for several hours under the starry Paris sky
- Chemical development: He used standard development techniques of the era
This method aimed to capture the direct imprint of celestial bodies on sensitive matter, eliminating what he considered the distortion of optical instruments 5 .
Celestography Process
Strindberg exposed plates directly to the night sky without cameras or lenses
Experimental Photography
His method eliminated what he saw as distortions from optical instruments
Scientific Dialogue
Strindberg corresponded with astronomer Camille Flammarion about his findings
Results and Interpretation
The obtained "celestographies" showed dark and bluish spots that Strindberg interpreted as faithful representations of the starry sky. He sent his productions to Camille Flammarion, the renowned French astronomer, who presented them to the Société astronomique de France 5 .
Modern analyses indicate that these images actually resulted from accidental silver micro-oxidations, and not from the recording of celestial bodies. However, their artistic and conceptual value is undeniable, prefiguring avant-garde artistic practices like Rust Art that would only emerge a century later 5 .
Methodology of Strindberg's "Celestographies"
| Step | Process | Innovation | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Standard photosensitive plates | Elimination of the camera | Limited sensitivity of plates |
| Exposure | Night, several hours | Direct contact with environment | Impossible to control variables |
| Development | Standard techniques of the era | Search for pure objectivity | Subjective interpretation of results |
| Analysis | Correspondence with Flammarion | Dialogue with scientific community | Conclusions not experimentally validated |
The Emergence of Ecological Thinking
Strindberg's Pre-Ecological Principles
In his observations at the Jardin des Plantes, Strindberg developed several concepts that anticipated scientific ecology:
Species Interdependence
He perceived the complex relationships between plants, insects, and soil conditions, anticipating modern understanding of ecological networks.
Environmental Adaptation
He studied how plants in the Alpine Garden survived in extreme conditions, noting specialized adaptations to challenging environments.
Natural Cycles
He documented seasonal rhythms and their influence on plant growth, recognizing patterns that would become central to phenology.
Jardin des Plantes as Ecosystem Model
Strindberg intuitively understood that the Jardin des Plantes constituted a microcosm where fundamental principles governing natural ecosystems could be observed. Its different sections - the Ecological Garden, the Botanical School, the Alpine Garden - offered him as many reduced models to study the relationships between organisms and their environment.
Ecological Concepts in Strindberg's Work
| Modern Concept | Anticipation in Strindberg | Observation Source |
|---|---|---|
| Biodiversity | Interest in species variety in the Garden | Jardin des Plantes 4 6 |
| Adaptation | Study of plants in extreme environments | Alpine Garden 6 |
| Trophic Networks | Observation of plant-insect interactions | Naturalist path in the Garden |
| Ecological Succession | Documentation of seasonal cycles | Phenological observations |
| Conservation | Interest in rare and threatened species | Greenhouses and specialized collections 6 |
Strindberg's Scientific Toolkit
Strindberg developed a multidisciplinary approach to the study of nature, using various conceptual and technical tools that blended scientific rigor with creative exploration.
Direct Observation
Systematic documentation of natural phenomena through careful study of plants at Jardin des Plantes.
Photographic Experimentation
Innovative recording and investigation methods exemplified by his "celestographies" 5 .
Scientific Correspondence
Exchange of ideas and validation through correspondence with Flammarion, Jollivet-Castelot 5 .
Logbook
Documentation of observations in his "Occult Journal" maintained in Paris 5 .
Comparative Approach
Identification of patterns through comparison of species across different gardens and environments.
Experimental Method
Development of unique investigative techniques that blended scientific and artistic approaches.
Strindberg's Naturalist Toolkit
| Tool/Method | Function | Application in Strindberg |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Observation | Documentation of natural phenomena | Study of plants at Jardin des Plantes |
| Photographic Experimentation | Recording and investigation | "Celestographies" 5 |
| Scientific Correspondence | Exchange of ideas and validation | Exchanges with Flammarion, Jollivet-Castelot 5 |
| Logbook | Documentation of observations | "Occult Journal" maintained in Paris 5 |
| Comparative Approach | Identification of patterns | Comparison of species across different gardens |
Legacy and Posterity
From Intuition to Formalized Science
While Strindberg did not develop a complete ecological theory, his observations and methods anticipated several subsequent developments in ecological science. His holistic approach, which considered natural phenomena in their complexity and interrelationships, contrasted with the dominant scientific reductionism of his era.
The importance of the Jardin des Plantes as a place of research and inspiration for Strindberg underscores the crucial role of botanical gardens in the history of sciences, not only as places of conservation but also as spaces for intellectual stimulation and conceptual innovation.
"Strindberg embodies a transitional figure between 19th-century naturalism and 20th-century scientific ecology, reminding us that understanding nature requires both the rigor of the observer and the intuition of the poet."
Today, the Jardin des Plantes continues its mission of research and conservation, with 8,500 species and varieties of plants, a seed bank containing thousands of samples, and active research programs in ecology and evolutionary biology 6 . The Strindbergian vision of a science integrating observation, experimentation, and intuition finds an echo in contemporary interdisciplinary approaches.
- 8,500 species and varieties of plants
- Extensive seed bank with thousands of samples
- Active research programs in ecology and evolution
- Continues mission of conservation and education
- Anticipated modern ecological concepts
- Bridged science and humanities
- Pioneered interdisciplinary approaches
- Inspired later artistic and scientific innovations
Conclusion: Nature as Text and Laboratory
The exploration of Strindberg's "ecological" dimension reveals a fascinating chapter in the history of ideas, where boundaries between science, literature, and occultism become porous. The Jardin des Plantes served as a catalyst for this unique synthesis, offering the Swedish writer an unparalleled field for observation and experimentation.
Strindberg embodies a transitional figure between 19th-century naturalism and 20th-century scientific ecology, reminding us that understanding nature requires both the rigor of the observer and the intuition of the poet. His legacy invites us to rethink humanity's place in the complex network of living beings, a concern more relevant than ever in the era of global environmental crises.