Purple Aloe – Abraham Munting Antique Botanical Engraving
  • Purple Aloe – Abraham Munting Antique Botanical Engraving
Purple Aloe – Abraham Munting Antique Botanical Engraving
Purple Aloe (Aloe purpurea) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Abraham Munting, Antique Botanical Print (1696)

Purple Aloe (Aloe purpurea) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Abraham Munting, Antique Botanical Print (1696)

€1,650.00
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A striking 17th-century botanical engraving from Abraham Munting’s Nauwkeurige Beschryving der Aardgewassen - Phytographia Curiosa, depicting a monumental aloe with architectural structure and a decorative cartouche. A powerful example of early botanical art combining scientific observation with theatrical composition.

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  Authentic antique prints

Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.

Purple Aloe: Monumental Form and Botanical Theatre in Munting’s Vision

This original late 17th-century hand-colored copper engraving depicts a Purple Aloe, traditionally identified as Aloe purpurea, from Abraham Munting’s Dutch work Nauwkeurige Beschryving der Aardgewassen, later known as Phytographia Curiosa, published in 1696. The plate exemplifies a moment in botanical illustration when scientific observation was combined with strong visual staging.

Unlike later botanical prints, Munting’s compositions present the plant as an architectural form. The aloe rises in a dense radial structure, transforming a natural specimen into a monumental presence.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The composition is dominated by sharply pointed leaves arranged in a powerful radial formation. Shades of deep green and cool blue create a layered chromatic structure, giving the plant both volume and tension.

The base of the plant is anchored by a rocky mound, rendered in warm earth tones that contrast with the cool palette of the foliage. This contrast reinforces the sculptural presence of the aloe.

Above, a winged putto carries a flowing cartouche bearing the plant’s name — a distinctly baroque element that transforms the engraving into a hybrid of science and allegory. This feature is characteristic of Munting’s work, where botanical subjects are elevated through symbolic and decorative framing.

The large format and generous margins further enhance the visual impact of the plate, allowing the composition to breathe and reinforcing its presence as a display object rather than a purely scientific illustration.

About the Species

Aloe species were among the most fascinating plants introduced to European collections in the early modern period. Their sculptural forms and exotic origin made them highly desirable within botanical gardens and cabinets of curiosity.

In works such as Phytographia Curiosa, these plants were not only documented but also interpreted visually, reflecting both their botanical significance and their status as rare and remarkable specimens.

Heritage Stories

This engraving belongs to Nauwkeurige Beschryving der Aardgewassen, later known as Phytographia Curiosa, published in 1696 by Abraham Munting — a work that captures the intersection of science, collecting and visual culture in the seventeenth century.

Examples with original contemporary hand-coloring are particularly scarce. Many impressions found on the market today have later coloring, whereas early colorings preserve a closer relationship to the engraved structure and a more refined tonal balance.

Explore the full collection of Munting botanical engravings: Munting – Botanical Prints.

Discover more in our editorial feature: Abraham Munting — Botanical Curiosity and Early Natural Science.

Condition Report

Excellent antique condition. Original hand-coloring remains fresh and vibrant with strong engraved definition. Printed on fine original laid (vergé) paper. The sheet retains generous original margins, clean and well balanced. No watermark observed. A particularly attractive and well-preserved example.

Details

  • Author: Abraham Munting
  • Work: Nauwkeurige Beschryving der Aardgewassen (later known as Phytographia Curiosa)
  • Species: Purple Aloe (Aloe purpurea)
  • Year: 1696 (edition)
  • Technique: Original copper engraving, entirely hand-colored
  • Paper: Original laid (vergé) paper
  • Watermark: None observed
  • Sheet size: approx. 44 × 29 cm
U33
1 Item

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