Lilium montanum maximum polyanthos album rubris maculis aspersis.

Engr., 42 x 56 cm, laid paper, contemp. hand-coloured, signed "FC", unnumbered (in the middle a horizontal printer's crease, sl. browned).

Mounted with tape to passe-partout.

Magnificent botanical print in the 1st ed. of the Turk's-cap or martagon lily. This "lilium montanum" comes from the first great florilegium, the Hortus Eystettensis, a codex produced by the Nuremberg apothecary and botanist Basilius Besler (1561-1629) of the garden of the bishop of Eichstätt in Bavaria. Only 300 copies were issued in Autumn 1613 (1st ed.). The Hortus Eystettensis changed botanical art overnight with flowers being depicted near life-size in an artistically pleasing style.
Ref. Nissen (BBI)158. - Pritzel 745. - Sitwell 27. - Sotheby's Auction De Belder Nr. 23. - Universitätsbilbiothek Eichstätt-Ingolstadt 183/1 SJ II 2894-2.