Laurens was chosen by the geographer
Xavier Hommaire de Hell to join him on an extended scientific journey to
Turkey and
Iran (1846-1848). During this time, Laurens made over a thousand drawings of the sites, costumes and people he encountered on his travels. They included many portraits of Iranian personalities. His biography "Nazar-Andaz" gives an account of de Hell's death at
Isfahan in August 1848. Thanks to the French ambassador, Laurens was able to reach
Tehran from where he sent back de Hell's notes together with his own drawings. Hundreds of them were presented in the
Atlas historique et scientifique, the fourth volume of the
Voyage en Turquie et en Perse published by de Hell's wife. Some of Laurens' lithographs were published in ''L'Illustration
and Tour du Monde'', both popular periodicals, while the originals, together with his early watercolours were given to the library of the École des Beaux-Arts. Laurens continued his career in France after returning in 1849, exhibiting paintings and engravings in virtually every Salon from 1850 to 1891. He was also active in literary circles where he met many celebrities. His
La Légende des ateliers, published in his later days, contains anecdotes of his travels. ==Works==