Bilder Joseph Pitton de Tournefort (1656–1708) – Botanical Illustrations of Prickly Poppy – Engraving (1719)

Beskrivning

This engraving depicts a detailed botanical study of the prickly poppy, identified by the Latin title Argemone. The composition illustrates the various anatomical stages and components of the plant, including a full blossom shown from a side profile at the top left and an isolated petal. Below the flower, the illustration features several views of the seed pods: an exterior view of the spiny, upright capsule, a longitudinal section revealing the internal seeds, and a developing pod. Individual dissections of the reproductive organs, including the stigma and stamens, are also labeled for scientific reference. This work was published as part of the Institutiones Rei Herbariae, a foundational botanical text that established a system of plant classification based on the structure of flowers and fruits.

Joseph Pitton de Tournefort was a pioneering French botanist and a professor at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. He is best known for his significant contributions to plant taxonomy, particularly for his clear definition of the concept of the genus, which influenced the later work of Carl Linnaeus. His extensive travels throughout Europe and the Levant allowed him to document thousands of plant species, many of which were illustrated with high technical precision in his multi-volume publications. Tournefort's systematic approach to botany made his works essential references for scientists and collectors throughout the eighteenth century.

Artist or Maker: Joseph Pitton de Tournefort .

Dimensions: Approximately 24 cm x 18 cm.

Medium: Engraving .

Date: 1719

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.