Besler's Book of Flowers and Plants

Book excerpt: When Prince Bishop von Gemmingen founded Germany's famous garden at Eichstätt in the early seventeenth century, its lush beauty was recorded in magnificent copperplate engravings. Later published as the Hortus Eystettensis by Basilius Besler, the colorful plates expertly mirrored the diversity of the celebrated garden, making it a great treasure of botanical literature. This collection gathers the finest illustrations from that historic study. Meticulously reproduced and carefully identified, here are the rare plants, flowers, and trees that once flourished throughout the grounds of Eichstätt's palace gardens. A thriving source of design ideas and horticultural information, this glorious gallery of art will endlessly delight artists, designers, and botanical enthusiasts.