Historical Botanical Illustrations

Detailed handcolored engravings of various plants, including field pennycress and meadow buttercup, showcasing their botanical features in an antique style.

Botanical print by Sir William Jackson Hooker, FRS, 1785 - 1865, English botanical illustrator. He held the post of Regius Professor of Botany at Glasgow University, and was Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. From the Liszt Masterpieces of Botanical Illustration Collection.

Common cudweed, Filago vulgaris, and rush, Juncus conglomeratus. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicer's Krauterbuch, or Herbal, Frankfurt, 1557. This from a 17th century pirate edition or atlas of illustrations only, with captions in Latin, Greek, French, Italian, German, and in English manuscript.

Cornflower or bachelor's-buttons (Centaurea cyanus L.): flowering stem with separate floral segments and a description of the plant and its uses. Coloured line engraving by C.H.Hemerich, c.1759, after T.Sheldrake.

Cyclamen, Cyclamen species, and milkvetch, Astragalus onobrychis. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicer's Krauterbuch, or Herbal, Frankfurt, 1557. This from a 17th century pirate edition or atlas of illustrations only, with captions in Latin, Greek, French, Italian, German, and in English manuscript.

Rose-root, Rhodiola rosea. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from a drawing by James Sowerby for Smith's "English Botany," London, 1796. Sowerby was a tireless illustrator of natural history books and illustrated books on botany, mycology, conchology and geology.

Tritoma bipustulatum, Tritoma bipustulata, Double-spotted Tritoma beetle, with bird's nest orchis, Epipactis nidus avis. Handcoloured copperplate drawn and engraved by John Curtis for his own "British Entomology, being Illustrations and Descriptions of the Genera of Insects found in Great Britain and Ireland," London, 1834. Curtis (17911862) was an entomologist, illustrator, engraver and publisher. "British Entomology" was published from 1824 to 1839, and comprised 770 illustrations of insects and the plants upon which they are found.

Bunch of grapes partially attacked by the vegetative part of a fungus or mycelium in the first days of July. Illustration for 'La Maladie des Vignes' (The disease of the vines) by FŽlix ƒdouard GuŽrin-MŽneville. Paris, 1853. Engraving.

The illustration features the plant Viola odorata, commonly known as sweet violet. It showcases the plant's distinct structure, including its lush green leaves and delicate purple flowers. Above the main illustration, a series of smaller depictions detail various botanical aspects of the sweet violet, including flowers, leaves, and reproductive parts. The roots are also visible, illustrating the plant's foundational structure. This detailed representation emphasizes both the beauty and complexity of Viola odorata, highlighting its characteristics in a scientific manner.

Rue-leaved whitlow grass (Paronychia serpyllifolia DC.): entire flowering plant with separate floral segments and a description of the plant and its uses. Coloured line engraving by C.H.Hemerich, c.1759, after T.Sheldrake.

Millet, Panicum miliaceum, and great millet, Sorghum bicolor. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicer's Krauterbuch, or Herbal, Frankfurt, 1557. This from a 17th century pirate edition or atlas of illustrations only, with captions in Latin, Greek, French, Italian, German, and in English manuscript.

Grangea maderaspatrana (L.) Poiret: entire flowering plant with separate floral segments. Coloured engraving after F. von Scheidl, 1776.

Bitter apple, Citrullus colocynthis, showing flowers, branch, leaves, tendrils, ripe fruit, section, and seeds. Handcoloured stipple copperplate engraving by Dubois from a drawing by Pierre Jean-Francois Turpin from Chaumeton, Poiret et Chamberet's "La Flore Medicale," Paris, Panckoucke, 1830. Turpin (1775~1840) was one of the three giants of French botanical art of the era alongside Pierre Joseph Redoute and Pancrace Bessa.

P. Mattioli, I discorsi ...nelli sei libri

Medlar (Mespilus germanica): fruiting stem, leaf and fruit segments. Etching, c. 1718, after C. Aubriet.

Sweet chestnut or marron, Castanea sativa. Handcoloured copperplate botanical engraving from Johannes Zorn's "Afbeelding der Artseny-Gewassen," Jan Christiaan Sepp, Amsterdam, 1796. Zorn first published his illustrated medical botany in Nurnberg in 1780 with 500 plates, and a Dutch edition followed in 1796 published by J.C. Sepp with an additional 100 plates. Zorn (1739-1799) was a German pharmacist and botanist who collected medical plants from all over Europe for his "Icones plantarum medicinalium" for apothecaries and doctors.

Book of Simple Medicine (Treatise on medicinal plants) V116. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE RUSIA / SAN PETERS / RUSIA. Author: MATTHAEUS PLATEARIUS.

Woodcut illustration of mespilus

Herba rena to cure kidney and bowel complaints from manuscript Herbal from Trento 14h century

Libro de las Medicinas Sencillas (Tratado de plantas medicinales) V157. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE RUSIA / SAN PETERS / RUSIA. Author: MATTHAEUS PLATEARIUS.

Sirih Cultuur, Jan Brandes, 1785 drawing Color drawing of one betel leaf (Sirih), a Sirih plant and the Sirih harvest. With inscription. Part of Jan Brandes' sketchbook, dl. 1 (1808), p. 47 and see also p. 48, 93-94, 203. Jakarta paper. pencil. watercolor (paint) brush (non-fruit) products of plants or trees

Table XXXVIII: une petite lame d'or fin, Amusement microscopique tant pour l'esprit, que pour les yeux: contenant cinquante estampes dessinées d'après nature et enluminées, avec leurs explications, Ledermüller, Martin Frobenius, 1719-1769, Engraving, 1764-1768

Martynia annua villosa et viscosa, folio subrotundo, flore magno rubro = Proposcitea. Horn-capsuled Martynia, Common Unicorn Plant, Common Devil's Claw, Ram's Horn, Proboscis Flower, Elephant Tusk. Bonelli, Giorgio, 1724-1803/4. Prints. 1772 - 1793. Rare Book Division. Plants, Flowers, Medicinal plants, Botany , Italy , Rome, Botany, Medical , Italy , Rome

Eriophorum vaginatum, hare's-tail cottongrass and Eriophorum latifolium, broad-leaved cottongrass. Handcolored copperplate engraving of a botanical illustration from G. T. Wilhelm's "Unterhaltungen aus der Naturgeschichte" (Encyclopedia of Natural History), Vienna, 1816. Gottlieb Tobias Wilhelm (1758-1811) was a Bavarian clergyman and naturalist in Augsburg, where the first edition was published.

Libro de las Medicinas Sencillas (Tratado de plantas medicinales) V156. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE RUSIA / SAN PETERS / RUSIA. Author: MATTHAEUS PLATEARIUS.

Kösel, J., Mentha piperita L. Pimpinella Anisum L., Peppermint and anise, recto - handwritten, photomechanical print, page, photos, photographically illustrated books, Tab. XXXVI., recto - printed, menthe poivrée anis, height 136 mm, width 95 mm, photographer, 1884 - 1894, paper, collotype, photoprint, cliché maker

Book of Simple Medicine (Treatise on medicinal plants) R121. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE RUSIA / SAN PETERS / RUSIA. Author: MATTHAEUS PLATEARIUS.

Hyacinth variety, Hyacinthus minor, and daffodil, Narcissus poeticus. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicer's Krauterbuch, or Herbal, Frankfurt, 1557. This from a 17th century pirate edition or atlas of illustrations only, with captions in Latin, Greek, French, Italian, German, and in English manuscript.

Book of Simple Medicine (Treatise on medicinal plants) R117. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE RUSIA / SAN PETERS / RUSIA. Author: MATTHAEUS PLATEARIUS.

The arterial system of human foetus. Engraving, 1686, after Gérard de Lairesse, 1685.

Gladiolus, Gladiolus communis, German iris, Iris germanica, and Florentine iris, Iris florentina. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicer's Krauterbuch, or Herbal, Frankfurt, 1557. This from a 17th century pirate edition or atlas of illustrations only, with captions in Latin, Greek, French, Italian, German, and in English manuscript.

Plantain, Plantago major, and ribwort plantain, Plantago lanceolata. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicer's Krauterbuch, or Herbal, Frankfurt, 1557. This from a 17th century pirate edition or atlas of illustrations only, with captions in Latin, Greek, French, Italian, German, and in English manuscript.

Western dock, Rumex aquaticus. Handcoloured copperplate botanical engraving from Johannes Zorn's "Afbeelding der Artseny-Gewassen," Jan Christiaan Sepp, Amsterdam, 1796. Zorn first published his illustrated medical botany in Nurnberg in 1780 with 500 plates, and a Dutch edition followed in 1796 published by J.C. Sepp with an additional 100 plates. Zorn (1739-1799) was a German pharmacist and botanist who collected medical plants from all over Europe for his "Icones plantarum medicinalium" for apothecaries and doctors.

Book of Simple Medicine (Treatise on medicinal plants) R115. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE RUSIA / SAN PETERS / RUSIA. Author: MATTHAEUS PLATEARIUS.

Bulb of the red lily (Lilium), Kliester-Bul of curl-lily. / Radix floris martagon. constantinopolitani / ognon de martagon. (title on object), Bulb of the red lily. Numbered top right: 5. Left the Latin name. Part of the first album with drawings of flowers and plants. Eighth of twelve albums with drawings of animals, birds and plants known around 1600, commissioned by Emperor Rudolf II. With explanations in Dutch, Latin and French, flowers: lily, Anselmus Boetius de Boodt, 1596 - 1610, paper, watercolor (paint), deck paint, chalk, ink, pen, h 243 mm × w 151 mm

Phytographia Curiosa: Britannica Antiquorum Vera. Abraham Munting (Dutch, 1626-1683). Etching, hand colored with watercolor; overall: 32 cm (12 5/8 in.).

Nouveau voyage aux isles de l'Amerique, A Paris, au palais, Chez Theodore le Gras, 1742, description and travel, natural history, pre-Linnean works, voyages and travels, West Indies, French, cocoa tree, cocoa, A botanical illustration depicting a cacao tree, known as 'Cacaotier' or 'Cacoyer.' The tree is presented with a detailed representation of its trunk and branches, adorned with lush green leaves. Included in the illustration is a depiction of a cacao pod hanging from the tree, showcasing its distinctive shape and texture. The label at the bottom identifies the plant, highlighting its significance in agriculture and commerce. This artwork reflects the historical interest in plant species and their cultivation.

Libro de las Medicinas Sencillas (Tratado de plantas medicinales) R134. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE RUSIA / SAN PETERS / RUSIA. Author: MATTHAEUS PLATEARIUS.

Asian Palmyra, Toddy palm or sugar palm tree, Borassus flabellifer. Handcolored copperplate engraving of a botanical illustration by J. Schaly from G. T. Wilhelm's "Unterhaltungen aus der Naturgeschichte" (Encyclopedia of Natural History), Vienna, 1817. Gottlieb Tobias Wilhelm (1758-1811) was a Bavarian clergyman and naturalist in Augsburg, where the first edition was published.

Saffron crocus (Crocus sativus L.): flowering stem with separate floral segments and bulb and a description of the plant and its uses. Coloured line engraving by C.H.Hemerich, c.1759, after T.Sheldrake.

Akelei (Aquilegia), Anselm Boote de Boodt, 1596 - 1610 drawing Columbine. Numbered at the top right: 139. At the top right the name in three languages. Part of the second album with drawings of flowers and plants. Ninth of twelve albums with drawings of animals, birds and plants known around 1600, made commissioned by Emperor Rudolf II. With explanation in Dutch, Latin and French. draughtsman: Praagdraughtsman: Delft paper. watercolor (paint). deck paint. ink. chalk brush / pen flowers: columbine

Libro de las Medicinas Sencillas (Tratado de plantas medicinales) V146. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE RUSIA / SAN PETERS / RUSIA. Author: MATTHAEUS PLATEARIUS.

Plant Stengel and Vistroke. On the left a stem with bottom lis dods, on the right a cartouche with the head of a flow god that hangs a trophy. Top left: 1re partition, top right: A. n ° 2, bottom right: 4.

Galnuts XVI, Jan Luyken, 1680 print Print Central and top right marked: tab. XVI. Page: 194. Amsterdam paper etching insects

Heath speedwell, Veronica officinalis. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Dr. Willibald Artus' Hand-Atlas sammtlicher mediinisch-pharmaceutischer Gewachse, (Handbook of all medical-pharmaceutical plants), Jena, 1876.

Botanique. 1.Elatine luxurians; 2.2'. Sodada decidua.. Prints, Illustrations. 1817. Rare Book Division. Egypt, Plants , Egypt, Botany , Egypt

Anatomy and botany; top, kidneys; centre left, bee; centre right, fly; bottom, plant. Coloured engraving, 1834-1837.

Book of Simple Medicine (Treatise on medicinal plants) R130. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE RUSIA / SAN PETERS / RUSIA. Author: MATTHAEUS PLATEARIUS.

Book of Simple Medicine (Treatise on medicinal plants) R131. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE RUSIA / SAN PETERS / RUSIA. Author: MATTHAEUS PLATEARIUS.

Growth of plants and flowers, Pieter Yver, 1722 - 1782 print Germinate and grow from a plant with flour, A to R Lettered. Bottom left: VI. Share, pages: 321. Amsterdam paper etching plants; vegetation

A provence rose: two flowering stems, one in outline only. Etching, c. 1787.

Onions, Allium cepa. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicer's Krauterbuch, or Herbal, Frankfurt, 1557. This from a 17th century pirate edition or atlas of illustrations only, with captions in Latin, Greek, French, Italian, German, and in English manuscript.

Corycium orobanchoides (L.f.) Swartz. Draughtsman: Robert Jacob Gordon. Dating: Oct-1777 - Mar-1786. Measurements: h 660 mm × w 480 mm; h 371 mm × w 239 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Book of Simple Medicine (Treatise on medicinal plants) V114. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE RUSIA / SAN PETERS / RUSIA. Author: MATTHAEUS PLATEARIUS.

Top, two forearms showing nerves; bottom, plant (Coppaibe ). Coloured engraving, 1834-1837.

1. Graines employées pour les colliers; 2. Végétaux pour le tatouage; 3. Plantes nutritives.. Debret, Jean Baptiste (1768-1848). Prints, Illustrations. 1834 - 1839. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection. Brazil , Social life and customs, Plants, Plants, Useful

Large brown root and thick striped stem of licorice root. Ligusticum acutilobum. Touki.. Colour-printed woodblock engraving by Kan'en Iwasaki from "Honzo Zufu," an Illustrated Guide to Medicinal Plants, 1884. Iwasaki (1786-1842) was a Japanese botanist, entomologist and zoologist. He was one of the first Japanese botanists to incorporate western knowledge into his studies.

Rupturewort or herniary (Herniaria glabra L.): flowering stem with separate leaf and floral segments and a description of the plant and its uses. Coloured line engraving by C.H.Hemerich, c.1759, after T.Sheldrake.

Paw of Tjitjak or Huisgeko. Black hat drawing of the tjitjak leg through a microscope. With inscription. Part from Jan Brandes, DL sketchbook. 1 (1808), p. 36 and compare p. 147 Under.

Tacuinum Sanitatis, Medieval Health Handbook, dated before 1400, based on medical observations detailing the most important aspects of food, beverages and clothing. Picking olives. Miniature. Fol. 16v.

Tacuinum Sanitatis. Medieval Health Handbook, dated before 1400, based on observations of medical order detailing the most important aspects of food, beverages and clothing. Picking olives. Miniature. Fol. 16v.

Book of Simple Medicine (Treatise on medicinal plants) V112. Museum: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL DE RUSIA / SAN PETERS / RUSIA. Author: MATTHAEUS PLATEARIUS.

Botanical board drawing of Bryonia

Leg of tjitjak or house gecko. Draughtsman: Jan Brandes. Dating: 18-Feb-1784. Place: Jakarta. Measurements: h 195 mm × w 155 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Seawalls, Jan Brandes, 1788 drawing Color drawing of a seawall when swimming and on the land. Copy of another drawing. With inscription. Part of Jan Brandes' sketchbook, dl. 1 (1808), p. 53. Cape of Good Hope paper. pencil. watercolor (paint) brush coelenterata: jelly-fish

The page features three images collected together. In the top right, there is the third variety of Bog Rush. The top left displays a ball of lichen species, referred to as lakk. At the bottom, one can see Paronychia (Illecebrum species), labeled fârnûhiyyâ. This illustration is from folio 194v, created by Mîrzâ Bâqir in the 19th century. The dimensions of the images are as follows top right is 15 x 10.7 cm, top left is 7 x 8 cm, and bottom is 18 x 13.2 cm. The date of creation is between 1889 and 1890, and the origin is either Tehran or Mashhad

L'Eclairette, ou Petite Chélidoine.. Regnault, Nicolas-François, 1746-1810. Prints, Scientific illustrations, Botanical illustrations. 1774. General Research Division. Plants, Botany

Two specimens of the Greek bean (Vicia faba), bâqillâ yawnânî. The image features two specimens displayed on folio 96. The left specimen measures 20.3 x 7.6 cm, while the right specimen measures 16.8 x 11.8 cm. The artwork was created between 1889 and 1890, possibly in Tehran or Mashhad

A tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum), its flowers and seeds, bordered by six scenes illustrating its use by man. Coloured lithograph, c. 1840.

Tacuinum Sanitatis, Medieval Health Handbook, dated before 1400, based on medical observations detailing the most important aspects of food, beverages and clothing. Developing liquor with nutmeg. Miniature. Fol. 14r.

Walking leaf insect . Phyllium siccifolium. "This curious insect, known by the name of the Walking Leaf from its resemblance in form as well as hue to a dry leaf, is said to be brought from the Spanish West Indies.". Handcoloured copperplate engraving from "The Naturalist's Pocket Magazine; or, Complete Cabinet of the Curiosities and Beauties of Nature" (1798~1802) published by Harrison, London.

Garlic, botanical print, copper engraving, 1788

Tacuinum Sanitatis. Medieval Health Handbook, dated before 1400, based on observations of medical order detailing the most important aspects of food, beverages and clothing. Developing liquor with nutmeg. Miniature. Fol. 14r.

Illustration of plant varieties using for medicinal purposes in the 1st century AD

Chinese Materia medica, C17: Plant drugs, Lichee

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