Pietro Andrea Mattioli - Original hand-colored leaf from "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 a finely hand-coloured woodcut illustrating Wild Cucumber (Cucumis sylvestris), while the verso contains an attractive hand-coloured depiction of Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis), a medicinal plant widely used in early modern pharmacy. 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: 35,4 x 21 cm
Condition: Good, paper slightly browned and with a few small spots due to age. White margin with old creases and small restoration.

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