Antique Natural HistoryOriginal plates from the naturalists' books, 1600s to 1900s
Hand-colored Mezzotint Engraving of a Lily from Johann Weinmann's Work, 1748

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Framed and on the wall

Hand-colored Mezzotint Engraving of a Lily from Johann Weinmann's Work, 1748, shown framedHand-colored Mezzotint Engraving of a Lily from Johann Weinmann's Work, 1748, shown framed on a wallHand-colored Mezzotint Engraving of a Lily from Johann Weinmann's Work, 1748, shown framed in a room

Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.

Hand-colored Mezzotint Engraving of a Lily from Johann Weinmann's Work, 1748

£670 ($890, €790)

Period original, not a reproduction.

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Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.

Date
1748
Size
16.9 × 9.8 in (43 × 25 cm)
Condition
Good. Good with some light soiling due to handling. Slightly unevenly trimmed left blank margin (remaining width of blank margin still at least 1 cm.) Study the images carefully.
Period
18th century
Artist or book
Weinmann
Section
Botanical
Reference
f_38129892

Artist or Maker: Johann Wilhelm Weinmann

Title: "Lilio asphodelus luteus. Lilio asphodelus phoeniceus. Lilium album"

Medium: Colored etching

Source: "Duidelyke vertoning eeniger duizend in alle vier waerelds deelen wassende bomen, stammen, kruiden" (A Clear Representation of Several Thousand Trees, Shrubs, Herbs, Growing in All Four Parts of the World)

Date: Published in Amsterdam, 1748

Catalog Number: N.651

This engraved detailed botanical illustration is from the 18th century, specifically from Johann Weinmann's "Phytanthoza Iconographia," which is a celebrated work in botanical illustration and taxonomy. The Dutch edition, indicates its wide reach and influence across Europe during that period.

This work is significant for its use of color mezzotint engraving, a technique that was quite advanced for its time, offering a rich texture and depth to the illustrations. It's also notable for the contributions of various artists, including Georg Dionysus Ehret, who is renowned for his botanical artistry. The fact that Ehret's work is unacknowledged in this collection reflects the complexities of artistic collaboration and recognition in the period.

Weinmann's collection provided a critical reference for botanists and horticulturists, documenting the flora cultivated in early 18th-century Europe with a level of precision and artistry that was unprecedented. The plates not only served scientific and educational purposes but also inspired decorative arts, influencing designs in ceramics and beyond. This particular print, featuring lilies and possibly other flowers, showcases the intricate detail and delicate coloration that make the "Phytanthoza Iconographia" such a valuable resource for understanding the botanical knowledge and artistic skill of the era.