Spiny Solanum – Munting Antique Botanical Engraving (1696)
  • Spiny Solanum – Munting Antique Botanical Engraving (1696)
Spiny Solanum – Munting Antique Botanical Engraving (1696)
Spiny Solanum (Solanum aethiopicum) – Antique Hand-Colored Botanical Engraving by Abraham Munting (1696)

Spiny Solanum (Solanum aethiopicum) – Antique Hand-Colored Botanical Engraving by Abraham Munting (1696)

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Original 17th-century hand-colored engraving of a spiny Solanum (Solanum aethiopicum) by Abraham Munting, featuring thorned stems, vivid fruit and striking botanical contrast.

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  Authentic antique prints

Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.

Spiny Solanum: Exotic Form and Botanical Curiosity

This original late 17th-century hand-colored copper engraving depicts Spiny Solanum, traditionally identified as Solanum aethiopicum, from Abraham Munting’s Dutch work Nauwkeurige Beschryving der Aardgewassen, later known as Phytographia Curiosa, published in 1696.

Unlike later botanical illustration, Munting’s compositions present the plant as a complete organism and a staged subject — roots, stem, leaves, flowers and fruit unified in a single architectural composition, transforming natural history into a form of botanical theatre.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The composition is structured around a strong vertical stem armed with pronounced thorns, immediately conveying both tension and vitality. This central axis gives the engraving a bold architectural presence.

The foliage spreads outward in irregular, deeply cut leaves, their jagged silhouettes reinforcing the plant’s defensive character. This creates a dynamic contrast with the smooth, rounded forms of the fruit.

The fruits themselves are particularly striking: rendered in warm tones of yellow and orange, they act as focal points within the composition, drawing the eye and adding chromatic intensity.

Delicate violet flowers introduce a refined counterpoint, softening the overall composition and enhancing its visual complexity. The result is a plate that balances aggression and elegance, perfectly aligned with the spirit of the cabinet of curiosities.

About the Species

Solanum aethiopicum, often associated with African eggplant varieties, was regarded in early modern Europe as an exotic and unusual plant. Its combination of edible fruit and defensive morphology made it particularly intriguing to botanists.

In the seventeenth century, such plants symbolized the expanding botanical knowledge brought through exploration, embodying both scientific curiosity and the fascination with rare and unfamiliar forms.

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 a transitional moment in the history of botanical illustration, where science, collecting and visual culture were deeply intertwined.

Examples with original contemporary hand-coloring are particularly scarce. Many impressions encountered on the market today have been colored at a later date, whereas early colorings such as this preserve a more nuanced palette and a closer dialogue with the engraved line.

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

Very good antique condition. The original hand-coloring remains fresh and vibrant, with strong engraved definition throughout. Printed on fine original laid (vergé) paper. The sheet retains slightly reduced margins compared to larger examples, yet remains well proportioned and visually balanced. No watermark observed. A crisp and decorative impression.

Details

  • Author: Abraham Munting
  • Work: Nauwkeurige Beschryving der Aardgewassen (later known as Phytographia Curiosa)
  • Species: Spiny Solanum (Solanum aethiopicum)
  • Year: 1696 (edition)
  • Technique: Original copper engraving, entirely hand-colored
  • Paper: Original laid (vergé) paper
  • Watermark: None observed
  • Sheet size: approx. 39 × 25 cm
U48
1 Item

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