Bilder Pietro Andrea Mattioli (1501–1578) – Ichthyological Study of Picarel, Mendole, and Gudgeon – Woodcut (16th Century)

Beskrivning

This illustration presents a systematic study of several fish species across three distinct sections. The upper portion shows three specimens of the smaride or picarel, characterized by their slender bodies and prominent dorsal fins. The middle section features two larger mendoles, while the bottom section depicts a single gudgeon with its mottled scales and distinct head shape. The accompanying French text provides a scholarly commentary on the habitats and culinary or medicinal uses of these aquatic creatures. This page is a primary leaf from Mattioli's commentary on the medical treatises of Dioscorides, which served as the most influential pharmacological and biological reference in Europe during the Renaissance.

Pietro Andrea Mattioli was an Italian physician and naturalist who became one of the most celebrated botanists and scientists 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 and animal descriptions and high-quality illustrations. Mattioli’s efforts to identify and document the flora and fauna of Europe and the Near East laid the groundwork for modern systematic biology and transformed the study of herbal medicine. His publications were translated into numerous languages and went through many editions, reflecting his status as a central figure in the scientific revolution.

Artist or Maker: Pietro Andrea Mattioli.

Dimensions: Approximately 36 cm x 23 cm.

Medium: Woodcut.

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.