Bilder Pietro Andrea Mattioli (1501–1578) – Botanical Study of Four Varieties of Buttercup – Woodcut (16th Century)

Beskrivning

This botanical illustration presents a detailed study of four varieties of "Grenoillette" (Buttercup/Ranunculus), categorized as types I through IIII. The woodcuts are arranged in two rows, each displaying the specific leaf structure, root system, and flowering stalks of the different species. The fine detailing includes several insects—such as butterflies, dragonflies, and small beetles—hovering around or resting on the plants, a characteristic feature of these illustrations that emphasized the plants' relationship with their natural environment. The French text at the top of the page continues the scholarly commentary on the medicinal properties and physical descriptions of these herbs, identifying their habitats and traditional uses in treating skin ailments or "les poireaux pendans" (warts). This page is a primary leaf from Mattioli's commentary on the medical treatises of Dioscorides.

Pietro Andrea Mattioli was an Italian physician and naturalist who became one of the most celebrated botanists of the sixteenth century. He is best known for his monumental work, Commentarii in sex libros Pedacii Dioscoridis, which not only translated the ancient Greek texts but also expanded upon them with hundreds of new plant descriptions and high-quality illustrations. Mattioli’s efforts to identify and document the flora of Europe and the Near East laid the groundwork for modern systematic botany and transformed the study of herbal medicine. His publications were translated into numerous languages and went through dozens of editions, reflecting his status as a central figure in the scientific revolution of the Renaissance.

Artist or Maker: Pietro Andrea Mattioli.

Dimensions: Approximately 36 cm x 23 cm.

Medium: (Woodcut with letterpress).

Date: (16th Century).

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.