Jan & Caspar Commelin: 17th century botanical engravings.

Code: 10164

"Horti Medici Amstelodamensis Rariorum" (Rarities of the Amsterdam Physic Garden),

1st edition, 1697 - 1701. ( Ref: Dunthorne: 81)

Jan Commelin (1629-1692) was Director of the Amsterdam Physic Garden at a time when it was undergoing substantial enlargement due to the importation of plants from the Dutch colonies in the East and West Indies, America and South Africa. He commissioned botanical artists Maria and Jan Moninckx to produced illustrations of these rare plants from which engravings were made and subsequently published in two volumes. Commelin was ably assisted by his nephew Caspar Commelin (1668 -1731) who completed the project after the former's death in 1692. 

The engravings have a bold graphic quality which would make them suitable for modern as well as antique interiors. They are presented here in silvered mirror frames etched with a running Greek-key motif.

Framed size: 546 x 418 mm (21 1/2 x 16 1/2 inches)