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

Beskrivning

This engraving depicts a detailed botanical study of the fruit and seeds of the poppy plant, identified by the Latin and French titles Papaver and Pavot. The composition features several anatomical views of the seed capsules in various sizes and states of development. Two large, globular capsules are shown at the top, emphasizing their distinctive flat, disc-like stigmas and ribbed surfaces. Below these, smaller elongated capsules are illustrated, along with a longitudinal section of a mature pod revealing the internal chambers and numerous tiny seeds, labeled X. These precise dissections provide a comprehensive scientific record of the plant's reproductive structure, highlighting the characteristic features used for botanical classification. 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.