Acetosa Vesicaria Mexicana (Plate 278 from Phytanthoza Iconographia)
Botanical print on hand-laid paper • Johann Wilhelm Weinmann (Editor/Botanist) with engravers Georg Dionysius Ehret and Bartholomaeus Seuter
Style & Movement
German Baroque / Age of Enlightenment Botanical Illustration
Medium & Technique
Hand-colored copperplate engraving and mezzotint, a combination technique known as 'line and graining'
Creation Period
Circa 1737-1745
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 40 x 25 cm (plate mark); Portrait orientation
Subject Description
Botanical study of Acetosa Vesicaria (Bladder Dock) showing leaves, seed pods, and flowering stems. The composition features a foreground landscape with a pink ribbon/scroll containing Latin text, and a background with small figures and a rolling horizon. The imagery is both scientifically descriptive and decorative.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; the paper retains its integrity with evidence of light age-toning and mild foxing consistent with 18th-century paper
Estimated Market Value
USD $300 - $600
Auction Estimate
USD $250 - $450
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a disassembled volume of Weinmann's 'Phytanthoza Iconographia'. No specific stamps or wax seals are visible through the frame.
Art Historical Significance
Weinmann's 'Phytanthoza Iconographia' was a monumental achievement in botanical publishing, being the first large-scale work to use the color mezzotint process. It documented thousands of plants in the early 18th century and included early work by G.D. Ehret, who later became one of the most famous botanical artists in history.
Notable Features
Features the 'Fol. 278' plate number in the top right corner; distinctive pink banderole (scroll) at the bottom; utilizes the innovative combination of color printing and hand-finishing.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing (small brown spots) in the upper quadrants; slight acid burn around the edges from the previous mount; minor darkening of the paper (toning).
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the use of acid-free, 100% rag matting and UV-protective glass. Keep away from direct sunlight and areas of high humidity to prevent further foxing or fading of hand-applied pigments.