Plate 230

Giovanni Battista Ferrari (1582-1655) & Cornelis Bloemart (1603-1684)
Plate 230
From: Hesperides sive de Malorum Aureorum Culrura et Usu Libri Quatuor
Rome: Herman Scheus, 1646
Hand-colored copperplate engravings
Framed: 28” x 14”; Sheet size: 12 ¼" x 8 ½"

These bold studies of citrus fruits, each tied with ribbons labeled with their specimen names, were part of this first book devoted to citrus fruit. The specimens, and information included in this book such as classification, origin and locations, methods of cultivation, and medical uses of citrus fruits, was compiled by the Italian Jesuit scholar and professor Giovanni Battista Ferrari. The sumptuous illustrations of the fruit were by Dutch printmaker Cornelius Bloemart, whom was from a family of Dutch artists and was known as a great botanical artist. This series includes 110 plates of depictions of mainly life-size fruits, whole and in section, as well as foliage and flowers, along with a few cultivation and allegorical scenes.