17th Century Still-life Prints

This is a rare 17th century engraving of a plant entitled "Pee-amerdu" by the Dutch botanist Hendrik van Rheede tot Drakenstein, plate 19 from his 'Hortus Indicus Malabaricus' (Garden of Malabar), published in Amsterdam in 1686 by Johann van Someren. The engraving depicts the Pee-amerdu plant, a large leafed plant climbing plant off the Malabar Coast in India. The plant is noted for its medicinal uses. It may be related to Tinospora species. Rheede's 19th century publication featured illustrations of exotic plants and fruits labelled with script in the upper right corner in Latin, Malay, Arabic, and Sanskrit. Hortus Indicus Malabaricus is believed to be the earliest comprehensive published work on the flora of Asia and the tropics. The 17th century treatise featured important illustrations of 740 plants of the region, including Indian medicinal plants. The engraving is printed on 17th century laid, chain-linked watermarked paper. The sheet measures 14.88" high by 18.75" wide. There is a central fold, as issued. There are a few faint smudges, a spot in the upper margin and there is minimal irregularity of the left edge of the paper where the print was previously bound in the 17th century publication. The print is otherwise in very good condition. There are additional Rheede botanical engravings from his 'Hortus Indicus Malabaricus' publication that are listed on my 1stdibs storefront and online website. These would make for an impressive display grouping. A discount is available for purchase of two or more of the prints. Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Drakenstein...

This is a rare 17th century engraving of a plant entitled "Amolago" by the Dutch botanist Hendrik van Rheede tot Drakenstein, plate 16 from his 'Hortus Indicus Malabaricus' (Garden of Malabar), published in Amsterdam in 1686 by Johann van Someren. The engraving depicts the Amolago plant, a large leafed plant, possibly corresponding to the present day aglaonema plant. Rheede's 19th century publication featured illustrations of exotic plants and fruits labelled with script in the upper right corner in Latin, Malay, Arabic, and Sanskrit. Hortus Indicus Malabaricus is believed to be the earliest comprehensive published work on the flora of Asia and the tropics. The 17th century treatise featured important illustrations of 740 plants of the region, including Indian medicinal plants. The engraving is printed on 17th century laid, chain-linked paper. The sheet measures 14.75" high by 17.25" wide. There is a central fold, as issued. There are a few tiny spots and there is minimal irregularity of the left edge of the paper where the print was previously bound in the 17th century publication. The print is otherwise in very good condition. There are additional Rheede botanical engravings from his 'Hortus Indicus Malabaricus' publication that are listed on my 1stdibs storefront and online website. These would make for an impressive display grouping. A discount is available for purchase of two or more of the prints. Hendrik Adriaan van...

This is a rare 17th century engraving of a plant entitled "Citamerdu" by the Dutch botanist Hendrik van Rheede tot Drakenstein, plate 21 from his 'Hortus Indicus Malabaricus' (Garden of Malabar), published in Amsterdam in 1686 by Johann van Someren. The engraving depicts the Citamerdu plant, also known as Tinospora cordifolia plant or Amrita and Guduchi. It is a deciduous plant with heart-shaped leaves, greenish flowers, and pea-shaped fruits. Rheede's 19th century publication featured illustrations of exotic plants and fruits labelled with script in the upper right corner in Latin, Malay, Arabic, and Sanskrit. Hortus Indicus Malabaricus is believed to be the earliest comprehensive published work on the flora of Asia and the tropics. The 17th century treatise featured important illustrations of 740 plants of the region, including Indian medicinal plants. The engraving is printed on 17th century laid, chain-linked paper, watermarked with an elaborate crown design. The sheet measures 15.75" high by 18.75" wide. There is a central fold, as issued. There are a few small spots, but the print is otherwise in excellent condition. There are additional Rheede botanical engravings from his 'Hortus Indicus Malabaricus' publication that are listed on my 1stdibs storefront and online website. These would make for an impressive display grouping. A discount is available for purchase of two or more of the prints. Hendrik Adriaan van...

This is a hand-colored copper-plate engraving entitled "I. Spatula foetida - II. Caucalis Dodonei - III. Cruciata", depicting three flowering plants, including an Iris, from Basilius Besler's landmark work, Hortus Eystettensis (Garden at Eichstatt), first published in 1613 in Eichstatt, Germany near Nuremberg and later in 1640 and 1713. This beautiful hand-colored botanical engraving is presented in a gold-colored wood frame with a French mat...

This stunning etching was realized by the baroque master Rembrandt van Rijs in Holland, 1634. The composition pictures Jesus Christ with a hand outstretched, identified with his long flowing locks, donning a robe with a his hand outstretched as he addressed the female figure next to him. The lady holds the well chain with the bucket of freshly drawn water resting on the edge of the cobbled rock well. The lady looks on in rapt attention, one hand resting on the crumbling edge of a embankment. In the background there are a series of archways, and two men in the midst of gossiping (perhaps at the sight of Jesus). Rembrandt executed the etching in delicate chiaroscuro that masterfully illustrates the light, perspective and emotion of the scene as only he is able to. The work depicts Jesus Christ and the woman of Samaria recalling the passage from the biblical verse John 4:5-30 in which Jesus speaks to a peasant Samaritan woman fetching water from a well. "There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink.' For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, 'How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?' For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. The parable demonstrates Jesus' kind regard for all peoples regardless of social stature. With its elegant composition and incredible artistry (by one of the most influential and celebrated artists of all time), this work promises to delight discerning collectors of historically important works. It represents a winning acquisition for lovers of fine art (especially those with an interest in first rate Renaissance works), and also those with a penchant for religious and biblical art...

This is a 17th century engraving of a fever or bonduc nut plant entitled "Ban Caretti" by Hendrik van Rheede tot Drakenstein, plate 20 from his 'Hortus Indi...

This is a 17th century engraving of a vine spinach plant entitled " Basella" by Hendrik van Rheede tot Drakenstein, plate 24 from his 'Hortus Indicus Malaba...

This is a 17th century portrait engraving of Rene Descartes by Jacques Lubin (1659-1703) after a painting by Frans Hals (1582-1666), published in Charle...

This hand-colored early 17th century copper-plate map entitled "Virginia et Florida" was originally created as a larger map by Gerard Mercator and ...

This is a beautiful and striking hand-colored botanical woodcut engraving by the old master artist Matthaeus Merian, entitled "Erdbeer Kraut, Fragaria", published in his book "Die fr...

This is a beautiful and striking hand-colored 17th century botanical woodcut engraving by the old master artist Matthaeus Merian, entitled "Weisse Seeblum, Nymphaea" (White Water Lil...

This a beautiful and striking hand-colored 17th century botanical woodcut engraving by the old master artist Matthaeus Merian, entitled "Wald Mangold, Pyrola" (Wintergreen Pyrola pla...