TWO IDENTICALLY FRAMED, OF THE PERIOD HANDCOLORED ENGRAVINGS FROM BASILUS BESLER'S HORTUS EYSTETTENSIS,From Hortus Eystettensis. Published in Germany. Lot consists of two framed Besler handcolored engravings. The first entitled Colchincum bizantinun polyanthos fritillariae facie autumnale. The second entitled Narcillus autumnahas flore hteo majaor cluly. Both framed in identical painted frames with handlined and marbleized mats. (2 total).
Basilius Besler was a botanist/apothecary who produced the Hortus Eystettensis, published in Eichstatt, Germany in 1613 under the patronage of the Prince Bishop of Eichstatt. It was from the prince's remarkable botanical garden that many of the illustrations came. This stunning garden was a lavish and costly creation containing many exotic imports from far flung parts, including American and Asia. Besler worked on the drawings for almost sixteen years, supervising a team of at least six engravers. The work depicts over 1,000 flowers on 374 copper engraved plates, representing 667 species. - 32" high x 28 1/2" wide. Estimate $1,100-1,500
Good color. Wear to frames associated with age and use.
