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Matthäus Merian the Elder
Walnut

1646

About the Item

MATTHAUS MERIAN, the Elder (1593-1650) Der Fruchtbringenden Gesellschaft Nahmen. Frankfurt, 1646. Engraving with Later Hand-Color. 400 Plates. Image Size 4.5” x 5.25” Unframed. Matthew Merian was one of the most prolifically published men of his time. Topography, cartography and botany were among his studies and he produced volumes in each subject. Each of his works is identifiable by intense detailing and an unerring sense of composition. Fond of architecture, Merian's works, if not completely dedicated to the subject, made use of the juxtaposition of his other studies against background or foreground scenes depicting the buildings and gardens he much loved to illustrate. Merian married botanist Theodore de Bry's daughter in Frankfurt in 1624 and also acquired his business. Merian produced de Bry's Florilegium Renovatum in 1641. A noted landscape artist and engraver, Merian was also the father of Maria Sibylla Merian, the noted entomologist and botanical artist. His son Matthew the Younger was a portrait painter, etcher and engraver who traveled in his youth to London, Paris, Italy and Nuremberg. Upon the death of Matthew the Elder, Matthew the Younger took over the management of his workshop which was renowned for producing engraved views and plans of European town and cities. Three generations of published illustrators! In 1646, Merian produced small emblem plates in Der Fruchtbringenden Gesellschaft Nahmen. This was in fact Merian’s only florilegium. Although estimated to be among the finest seventeenth century herbals, it is remembered to day as one of the most beautifully engraved books ever produced. Each of the 400 emblems has a single flower, tree or fruit set against a delightfully detailed German town view of landscape background. This glorious work was originally intended for particular members of a society founded in Germany in 1617 whose objective was the promotion not only of human virtues, honesty and courtesy but also to support and improve the German language. From this rather unique endeavor, each member received a symbolic plant, flower, tree or bush with a scenic background personalized with the individuals own initials at the bottom of each page. Truly a gesture well suited to the academic climate of the times! Reference: C. Nissen. Die Botanische. Stuggart, 1966
  • Creator:
    Matthäus Merian the Elder (1593 - 1650, German)
  • Creation Year:
    1646
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)Width: 13.75 in (34.93 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Clean, crisp image. Beautiful hand-coloring. Framed to museum specifications using archival matting, backing, hinging. Silk matting with hand-painted bevel. Glazed with ultra-violet filtering Plexiglas.
  • Gallery Location:
    Florham Park, NJ
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 2016 03-09-161stDibs: LU652878213
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