Common Calamint (Calamintha officinalis) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Elisabeth Blackwell

This refined botanical engraving depicts the Common Calamint (Calamintha officinalis), shown with its characteristic upright habit, branching stems, and clusters of small tubular flowers arranged along the upper portions of the plant.

The composition presents a well-balanced structure: rounded, softly crenate leaves populate the lower and lateral branches, while the flowering stems rise vertically, creating a clear hierarchy between vegetative and reproductive growth. Elisabeth Blackwell’s rendering privileges legibility, allowing leaf form, flower structure, and overall habit to be read distinctly.

Created in the early eighteenth century, this plate forms part of A Curious Herbal, a landmark work in which scientific illustration, engraving, and hand-colouring were executed by Elisabeth Blackwell herself, ensuring exceptional coherence between observation and representation.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The plant is organized around a strong central stem from which lateral branches extend symmetrically, forming a stable and upright silhouette. The rounded leaves create a dense, rhythmic texture, while the small reddish flowers introduce delicate points of contrast without overwhelming the composition.

Subtle tonal gradations model the foliage with depth, and the restrained hand-colouring preserves clarity and balance. The overall effect is calm and orderly, emphasizing botanical accuracy over ornament while retaining a quiet decorative elegance.

About the Subject

Common Calamint (Calamintha officinalis) was widely used in early European medicine as an aromatic and warming herb, valued for its digestive and restorative properties. Frequently sold by apothecaries and herbalists, it occupied a practical place in everyday remedies rather than elite pharmacology. Its clear depiction in herbals was essential, as several closely related species shared similar appearances but differed in strength and application. Blackwell’s plate reflects this need for precise visual distinction, presenting the plant in a manner suited to both identification and practical use.

In A Curious Herbal, Calamintha officinalis carries particular significance as the standardized medicinal form most commonly stocked by early apothecaries. Unlike habitat-specific variants gathered in the wild, “officinal” plants were valued for reliability and consistency of use. The plate mirrors this status through its balanced habit, clear flowering structure, and complete presentation of key features, making it both a practical reference and a visual archetype within the genus.

Condition Report

The engraving is in exceptionally fine antique condition, printed on original handmade laid paper. A period watermark is visible on the sheet, consistent with contemporary eighteenth-century papermaking practices. The surface remains fresh and stable, with no notable defects. The hand-colouring is well preserved, and the impression is crisp and fully legible throughout. The engraved credit “Eliz. Blackwell delin. sculp. et pinx.” is present and clear, confirming the unified authorship of the plate.

Details

• Artist: Elisabeth Blackwell
• Work / Publication: A Curious Herbal
• Period: 1737–1739
• Technique: Original copper engraving, drawn, engraved, and hand-colored by Elisabeth Blackwell
• Paper: Original handmade laid paper
• Watermark: Period watermark visible
• Sheet size: approx. 37 × 22 cm

Curatorial Context

This engraving forms part of a rare group of three related Calamintha species illustrated by Elisabeth Blackwell, each documenting a distinct botanical and medicinal profile within the same genus. While Calamintha officinalis stands as the standardized apothecary reference, the companion plates offer valuable comparative insight into habitat-specific variation and historical identification practice.

Collectors and scholars interested in the full botanical narrative may explore the complete curated trio here:
Three Calamints – Botanical Trio from A Curious Herbal

For further context on Elisabeth Blackwell and the medical-botanical framework of A Curious Herbal, see our editorial feature:

Elisabeth Blackwell – A Curious Herbal