Antique Maps & Prints of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 63949:
Description
This splendid folio botanical engraving is from Basilius Besler’s rare and highly sought after work "Hortus Eystettensis, sive Diligens et accurata omnium Plantarum, Florum, Stirpium, ex variis orbis terrae partibus, singulari studio collectarum, quae in celeberrimis viridariis arcem episcopalem ibidem cingentibus, olim conspiciebantur delineatio et ad vivum." The print available is from the second edition published in 1640 in Nuremberg and Eichstatt.
The engraving was printed on superior chain-linked, watermarked paper. This edition is often more desirable because the text is not printed on verso and thus does not bleed through to the image.
Bishop-prince Johann Konrad von Gemmingen created a magnificent garden to praise God and celebrate the diversity of creation. In the early 1600s, the bishop-prince commissioned Basilius Besler to create a catalogue of his garden and thus "Hortus Eystettensi" was produced.
Besler’s work, which depicted over 1100 specimens, is still widely considered one of the best botanical works ever created. Most of the plants depicted were drawn at their actual size. The first edition of the work was printed in 1613 and consisted of only about 300 copies. Hortus Eystettensis is truly a masterpiece and one of the most comprehensive and alluring botanical works ever produced. In the preface to an 1806 edition, Franz Seraph Widmann said “…by reason of…the magnificence of its engravings, [this work] deserves to rank high among the rarest works of its kind."
Paper Size ~ 16 1/4" by 20"
Condition report:
The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. The work is from 1640 and to large folio paper so minor imperfections due to age are to be expected, and most imperfections (if present) can be noted in the pictures. There may be some wear or chipping to the edges in this work. Beslers are very large and the paper was line dried so it is common to see a faint horizontal crease. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
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