The woodblocks by Giorgio Liberale and Wolfgang Meyerpeck date before 1563. Xantium, Lappa minor and Sempervivum arborescens appeared in Mattioli’s New Kreüterbuch (Prague, 1563) and Commentarii (Venice, 1565). These blocks are probably pearwood, a favorite for woodcuts. Since the images fill the rectangle to the edges, they probably were designed directly on the blocks. They were used for a number of editions until the 17th century and lost until Duhamel du Monceau (17001782) found and used them in his Traité des Arbres et Arbustes (Paris, 1755). The blocks remained in Paris until 1956 when they were sold and dispersed. (For a comprehensive account of these woodblocks, see Catalogue of Botanical Books in the Collection of Rachel McMasters Miller Hunt (Pittsburgh, 1958, vol. 1, item 90).) |
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Pietro Andrea Mattioli (HI Archives portrait no. 2) |