1) Aconitum 2) Datura Stramonium

Description

Artist: Bertuch, Friedrich Justin

Title or Name: 1) Aconitum 2) Datura Stramonium

Plate Number: XLIV

Publication: Bilderbuch fur Kinder

Date Published: 1790-1810

Medium: Copperplate Engraving with original hand coloring

Paper: Laid

Condition: Light soiling, scattered spotting and marks

Paper Size: 9-1/4″ x 7-1/2″ Plate Mark: 8-3/4″ x 6-3/4″

Includes: Copy of the Title Page, Original Text, and Brief Artist Biography

ID #: P 3718

Prints from this publication are quite rare and feature original hand coloring

Friedrich Johan Justin Bertuch was born in Weimar, where his father was a garrison physician in service to the duke. Orphaned at 15, he lived with his uncle and pursued an education in theology and law. Bertuch was a successful entrepreneur and a true man of the 18th Century Enlightenment philosophy, sharing the general preoccupation of the age with the education of the young, as well as the categorization of knowledge. Later in life, he became a writer and publisher, and in 1790 he began his major publishing project, the first pictorial encyclopedia for children. It was a 12 volume work and a landmark in educational publishing whose vibrant illustrations are still admired today. Believing that education was a means of social progress and self-improvement, he wanted to make sure that his encyclopedia was not only informative and written at a child’s level of understanding, he also felt the emphasis should be illustrations that were “beautifully and correctly drawn”. Therefore, the encyclopedia was illustrated throughout with vivid and detailed copperplate engravings that were scientifically accurate and sophisticated in their composition and execution.

Note: Please read item descriptions for an accurate condition report. Due to digital photography, shades and coloring in artwork and/or mats can vary slightly from the actual color due to the light conditions under which the photos have been taken. Digital photography can at times cause slight distortion as well, for example, straight lines in an image or on a mat can appear wavy or broken, particularly in close-ups.

Please read item descriptions, as we will do our best to disclose all known conditions.

If you would like to see additional photos or close-ups of this item, please feel free to contact us with your request.

Antique Botanical Engraving Print