From Herbarz
Giorgio Liberale, engraved by Wolfgang Meyerpeck
Prague: Georg Melantrich, 1565
After Pietro Andrea Mattioli
Large woodcut on a single folio leaf
Later hand coloring
This superb near-folio woodcut depicting loosestrife (Lysimachia ephemerum) originates from the Prague edition of Pietro Andrea Mattioli’s celebrated Herbarz, published in 1565 by Georg Melantrich. The image represents one of the most refined botanical illustrations produced during the Renaissance, combining scientific clarity with exceptional artistic balance.
The design was executed by Giorgio Liberale, an Italian artist from Udine working for the imperial court in Prague, and engraved by Wolfgang Meyerpeck. Liberale was responsible for producing approximately six hundred botanical designs for this edition, an undertaking that resulted in what many bibliographers consider the finest woodcuts of any herbal produced in any century. The delicacy of Meyerpeck’s cutting was such that the blocks wore quickly, making early impressions especially desirable.
The present example preserves strong definition in the stem, leaves, and flowering structure. The sheet has been hand colored at a later date, enhancing visual contrast while respecting the integrity of the original engraving. Each hand-colored impression is unique, shaped by the individual colorist’s hand.
Mattioli’s Herbarz stands among the most important and scarcest Renaissance herbals, with only a handful of complete copies recorded in North American institutions. Individual botanical leaves such as this are increasingly sought after for their rarity, scale, and significance in the history of medicine, botany, and early modern science.
Good overall condition. Some age toning to the upper margin consistent with the period. Please view images carefully.
Nissen, Botanische Buchillustration (BBI) 1314
Pritzel 5992
Anderson, Herbals 163
Medium: Woodcut with later hand coloring
Format: Folio leaf
Date: 1565
Dimensions: 13.43 × 8.78 inches (34.1 × 22.3 cm)
Subject: Loosestrife, Lysimachia ephemerum, Botany
Status: Available
From Herbarz
Giorgio Liberale, engraved by Wolfgang Meyerpeck
Prague: Georg Melantrich, 1565
After Pietro Andrea Mattioli
Large woodcut on a single folio leaf
Later hand coloring
This superb near-folio woodcut depicting loosestrife (Lysimachia ephemerum) originates from the Prague edition of Pietro Andrea Mattioli’s celebrated Herbarz, published in 1565 by Georg Melantrich. The image represents one of the most refined botanical illustrations produced during the Renaissance, combining scientific clarity with exceptional artistic balance.
The design was executed by Giorgio Liberale, an Italian artist from Udine working for the imperial court in Prague, and engraved by Wolfgang Meyerpeck. Liberale was responsible for producing approximately six hundred botanical designs for this edition, an undertaking that resulted in what many bibliographers consider the finest woodcuts of any herbal produced in any century. The delicacy of Meyerpeck’s cutting was such that the blocks wore quickly, making early impressions especially desirable.
The present example preserves strong definition in the stem, leaves, and flowering structure. The sheet has been hand colored at a later date, enhancing visual contrast while respecting the integrity of the original engraving. Each hand-colored impression is unique, shaped by the individual colorist’s hand.
Mattioli’s Herbarz stands among the most important and scarcest Renaissance herbals, with only a handful of complete copies recorded in North American institutions. Individual botanical leaves such as this are increasingly sought after for their rarity, scale, and significance in the history of medicine, botany, and early modern science.
Good overall condition. Some age toning to the upper margin consistent with the period. Please view images carefully.
Nissen, Botanische Buchillustration (BBI) 1314
Pritzel 5992
Anderson, Herbals 163
Medium: Woodcut with later hand coloring
Format: Folio leaf
Date: 1565
Dimensions: 13.43 × 8.78 inches (34.1 × 22.3 cm)
Subject: Loosestrife, Lysimachia ephemerum, Botany
Status: Available
