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The Besler 1st Ed. Pl. 157, White and Red Snapdragons; Death’s Head elegantly captures the blossoming botanicals in charming detail.
Delicately engraved on laid paper, this 17th-century print has a tactile quality that is emphasized by the paper texture, raised linework, and platemark. Likewise, the addition of a calligraphic text on the verso lends dimension and expository intrigue to the piece. As part of the oldest and most costly florilegium Hortus Eystettensis, this print is a valuable piece of history and an enchanting addition to antique and contemporary spaces alike.
About Besler’s Hortus Eystettensis
First published in 1613 by Nuremberg apothecary Basilius Besler, the monumental florilegium Hortus Eystettensis artistically records the flowering contents of the Garden of Eichstätt. Cultivated by Prince-Bishop Johann Konrad von Gemmingen at his Bavarian residence, this garden boasted local and exotic flora from all over the known world. Besler’s folio constitutes 367 exquisitely engraved and lavishly colored plates that capture over 1,000 plant varietals cultivated in the garden. Rendered on large sheets of 22 ½ x 18 inch paper, Besler’s engravings emphasize the ornate qualities of the plants as he traces their progression throughout the seasonal calendar. The first edition of Besler’s Hortus Eystettensis can be distinguished from the Deluxe through the calligraphic text on the verso and no watermark in the paper.
About Basilius Besler
Basilius Besler was a Nuremberg apothecary who created one of the first great botanical folios, Hortus Eystettensis (Garden of Eichstätt), in 1613. Working at a time when botanical illustrations were used primarily to identify plants for medicinal purposes, Besler created a monumental florilegium that prioritized the beauty of the plants over their pharmacological usefulness. As a result, Besler’s Hortus Eystettensis acts as a transitional fulcrum in the history of botanical art between the association of plants as medicine to plants as objects of beauty.
For more information about Besler 1st Ed. Pl. 157, White and Red Snapdragons; Death’s Head, email us at [email protected] or check out our articles Basilius Besler’s Hortus Eystettensis or Garden of Eichstätt and How to Distinguish Between the Various Editions of Besler’s ‘Garden of Eichstätt’.
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Read More| Weight | 0.25 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 22 × 16.5 × 0.125 in |
| Artist | |
| Publication Title | |
| Type of Artwork | Antique Original |
| Medium | |
| Creation Date | 1613 |
| Orientation | Vertical |
| Subject |
Joel Oppenheimer, Inc. is committed to providing our customers with original, antique natural history art of the finest quality. Below you will find the terms and conditions of doing business with us and what to expect when you purchase artwork from our company.
Authenticity of Artwork
Joel Oppenheimer Gallery guarantees the authenticity of every piece of artwork as described. If you have any questions about the authenticity or condition of a piece, please call us at 312-642-5300 or email us at [email protected].
Return Policy
We accept returns of artwork purchased on our website within 30 days of the purchase date. Artwork returned in the same condition it was sent in is eligible for a complete refund. If it has been longer than 30 days and you wish to make an exchange, please contact a sales representative at [email protected] to make arrangements.
Payment
When purchasing art on our website, payment will be due in full when processing the order through the online shopping cart. If you would like to discuss alternate payment options, please contact the gallery at 312-642-5300 or [email protected]
Condition
Every piece of artwork shipped from Joel Oppenheimer Gallery will be sent in good to excellent condition unless otherwise stated. Due to the depth of our inventory, some artwork may need to be conserved before it is shipped to you. This service is included with the purchase of every piece of antique artwork at Joel Oppenheimer, Inc. Original Audubon Octavos 1st Edition will be shipped in an archival rag board mat. Audubon 2nd edition Octavos are shipped as is.
Delivery
Unframed artwork is typically shipped within 2 - 10 business days of purchase. If an antique piece requires conservation before it is shipped, this typically adds 5 - 10 business days to the delivery time. Framed artwork purchased online typically ship within 10 - 15 business days of the purchase date. You will be contacted in 2 - 3 business days with an estimated ship date. If you require expedited processing of your order, please contact us at 312-642-5300 or [email protected] and we will do what we can to accommodate your time frame.
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