Abraham Munting (1626–1683) - Laserpitium lucidum - Foglio grande originale

Laserpitium lucidum

The laserpizio or silfio, which grew along the coast of Cyrenaica, was considered by the ancient pharmacopoeia a true panacea for every ailment, defined by Pliny as 'one of the most valuable gifts of nature'. From its root was extracted a prodigious juice, called laser, with the power to lull sheep or cause goats to sneeze, but also to render venom of snakes harmless, to facilitate digestion, to cure circulatory disorders, joint pain, gout, sciatica, male impotence, tetanus, asthma, sore throat, dropsy, epilepsy, jaundice, female disorders, to bring abscesses to maturity, to cicatrize ulcers, wounds and sores, and to excise calluses. It was used in gynecology to promote menstruation and as a contraceptive.

Large sheet in excellent condition with wide margins, copper engraving with etching and burin printed on laid paper, normal signs of use

1696

Etching and burin

Physician and famous botanist born in Groningen, Netherlands. He was professor of botany at the University of Groningen and director of the Botanical Garden of the same city.

Abraham Munting (1626-1683) was the son of Henricus Munting, Dutch botanist, and renowned botanical illustrator. His best-known work, Naawkeurige Beschryving Der Aardgewassen, was published posthumously in 1696. Subsequently, Waare Oeffening de Planten was reedited as an improved version of Munting's previous editions. His work was highly praised and loved for its originality and for going beyond the traditional botanical illustrations of the time. In his drawings, plant species were depicted against backgrounds of classical or pastoral landscapes, often suspended in mid-air, with little attention to perspective and proportions. After the death of Abraham Munting in 1683, his son Albert Munting assumed the direction of the Hortus Botanicus Groninganus.