"Chamaeiris latifolia biflora, chamaeiris minima..."

Basil Besler is credited with producing the earliest great florilegium. His Hortus Eystettensis.  is the earliest pictorial record of flowers from a single garden. In the early 17th century, the Prince Bishop of Eichstatt, Germany created a splendid garden containing all the shrubs and flowering plants known at the time.  He included new plants from Mexico and the New World, exotic flowers and glorious new fruits such as corn, tomatoes and sunflowers.  When he was satisfied with the garden the Prince Bishop commissioned Besler to create a monumental picture book of all of his plants.  The resulting magnificent  work was first issued in 1613. It consisted of 367 strikingly beautiful copper engraved plates.  Besler"s engravings appeal to modern audiences for their bold stylized depictions which are prized for their unusual large size, scarcity and bold execution. Copperplate engraving with modern hand-color, text on verso
22 x 17 1/2 inches sheet
Clean and crisp impression in excellent original condition.