ABEceDARIAN LATINARUM

Notable Selections from the History of Plants

Abecedarian Latinarum: Notable Selections from the History of Plants is a Latin abecedarian (ABC book) that contains 21 hand-cut plant species that draw inspiration from Leonhardt Fuchs’ noted herbal De Historia Stirpium comentarii insignes (or Notable Commentaries on the History of Plants). Published in 1542, Fuchs’ work featured botanical prints illustrated from scientific observation rather than folk tradition. Historically, this work set new standards for botanical illustrations that could be used in the field of medicine and allowed plant species to be correctly identified in nature for the first time.

Abecedarian Latinarum features 21 selected plant species from Fuchs’ 497 prints that are reduced to silhouettes to pay homage to the intricate forms characteristic of his work.

Accordion with handmade walnut dyed flax and abaca papers with hand-cut illustrations created by the artist. Housed in a custom clamshell box.

One-of-a-kind
6.25 x 4.75 x. .75 inches (book)
7 x 5.25 x 1 inches (box)
2015

In the collection at Ohio University Libraries