Pietro Andrea Mattioli - Kreutterbuch - 1611

Rare in Original Hand-coloring!

Beautiful leaf with rare original hand-colored woodcuts from the 1611 Frankfurt edition of Pietro Andrea Mattioli’s celebrated Kreutterbuch, one of the most influential botanical and medical works of the Renaissance. Mattioli’s herbal served as a standard reference throughout Europe for over a century and is renowned for its detailed botanical illustrations and descriptions of medicinal plants.

The recto features two finely hand-coloured woodcuts depicting the Peach Tree (Persica) and a variety of Red Peach (Persica rubra), shown with blossoms, fruit, and seeds. The accompanying German text discusses their cultivation, characteristics, medicinal properties, and practical applications in early modern medicine. The verso continues the extensive discussion of the peach tree before introducing the next chapter devoted to the Apricot Tree (Marillen oder St. Johanns Pfirsingen), reflecting the growing botanical knowledge of the early seventeenth century.

A highly desirable botanical leaf, combining scientific importance, attractive contemporary colouring, and strong decorative appeal. An excellent example from one of the landmark herbals in the history of botany and medicine.

Dimensions: 34,5 x 20,4 cm
Condition: Good, paper browned and with some spots due to age, old restorations in margin.

Attention for US buyers: Due to recent export problems higher shipping costs to the US apply!