(Formal Dutch Garden) Crispijn van de Passe. Hortus Floridus. Utrecht, 1614-1617. $895.00

Formal Garden Frontspiece

A masterpiece of botanical illustrationHortus Floridus was published in the early 17th century. It was primarily compiled by Crispijn van de Passe junior (1589-1670), a member of a family of well-known Utrecht draughtsmen and engravers. His father and brothers also contributed to the work. Comprising 104 plates showing different garden flowers arranged by season, the book was intended to provide inspiration for garden lovers, who were invited to color in the black and white copperplate engravings themselves according to the colors they found in their own gardens.
This engraving of a walled garden was included as a frontispiece to the work. The detail is fascinating and the engraving is a wonderful historical reference and record as to what was cultivated in early 17^th century gardens. The flowers depicted in individual beds include carnations, crocus, lilies, cyclamen and hyacinth, along with a sunflower from the New World and with a pleached hedge encircling the charming garden. A gardener is seen watering in the background. Exceptional engraving from the earliest days of pleasure gardening.

Hand colored copperplate engraving, Latin text on reverse.
6.5 x 9.5 inches sheet
14 x 16.5 inches archivally framed in carved gold leafed frame.