Munting, Abraham – 494

• Work: Naauwkeurige Beschryving Der Aardgewassen
• Date: 1672
• Condition of Plate: Overall excellent
• Condition of Work: Overall Excellent
• Paper Size: ~10.5″ by 17″
• Image Size: ~8″ by 12.5″

Abraham Munting’s Naauwkeurige Beschryving Der Aardgewassen

These original, recently hand-colored, engravings are from the work entitled Naauwkeurige Beschryving Der Aardgewassen, Waar in de Veelerley Aart en Bijzondere Eigenschappen der Boomen, Heesters, Kruyden, Bloemen, created by Abraham Munting in 1696. “This work is, in part, based on the author’s [work] Waare Oeffening der Planten, 1672. The stunning plates depict plants set in or floating above landscape backgrounds. Hunt describes it as a weird and fascinating work: “The plates are as curious as their subjects. They commonly present the plants far larger than life, oranges huge as pumpkins, cyclamens with heavy corms floating lightly in mid-air, gentle geraniums grown into giant trees. The effect is obtained through sketching in classical or idyllic or mountainous little landscapes below” (Hunt). The Latin names are presented on scrolls and tablets. (Sotheby’s Magnificent Botanical Books: April 27th/28th, 1987). They are on fine chain-linked paper that measures ~12.5″ by 17″.