Pietro Andrea Mattioli - Contemporary hand-coloured leaf from "Kreutterbuch" - 1611

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 leaf features three finely hand-coloured woodcuts illustrating a Bean plant and two Lentil plants. The accompanying German text discusses the appearance, cultivation, medicinal properties, and practical applications of both plants, reflecting the botanical knowledge and herbal medicine traditions 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: 35,5 x 20,5 cm
Condition: Good, paper slightly browned and with some brown spots due to age.