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Thapsia Major (Thapsia latifolia) – Antique Hand-Colored Botanical Engraving by Abraham Munting (1696)
€1,450.00
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Original 17th-century hand-colored engraving of Thapsia major by Abraham Munting, featuring architectural form, radial flowering and a rich landscape setting.
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Authentic antique prints
Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.
Thapsia Major: Architectural Form and Botanical Theatre
This original late 17th-century hand-colored copper engraving depicts Thapsia Major, traditionally identified as Thapsia latifolia, 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, stems, leaves and flowering structure arranged with deliberate clarity, transforming natural history into a form of botanical theatre.
— • —
Visual and Aesthetic Analysis
The composition is defined by a striking radial flowering structure that unfolds like a natural canopy. The upward-reaching stem supports a perfectly balanced arrangement of delicate umbels, creating a strong architectural presence.
Below, the dense foliage spreads outward in layered, finely divided leaves, forming a rich visual base that contrasts with the lightness of the upper structure.
The landscape setting is particularly refined: figures and animals appear in the distance, introducing scale and narrative depth. This transforms the engraving into a complete scene rather than a purely botanical study.
The balance between structured geometry and natural irregularity reflects Munting’s ability to merge scientific observation with visual composition, resulting in an image that is both informative and highly decorative.
About the Species
Thapsia species were known in early botanical literature for their strong presence and distinctive flowering structure. Native to Mediterranean regions, they were associated with both medicinal use and natural curiosity.
In the seventeenth century, plants of this kind embodied the expanding geographical knowledge of botanists, reflecting the connection between local flora and broader systems of classification.
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 well balanced, with clear engraved detail 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 refined and highly decorative impression.
Details
- Author: Abraham Munting
- Work: Nauwkeurige Beschryving der Aardgewassen (later known as Phytographia Curiosa)
- Species: Thapsia Major (Thapsia latifolia)
- Year: 1696 (edition)
- Technique: Original copper engraving, entirely hand-colored
- Paper: Original laid (vergé) paper
- Watermark: None observed
- Sheet size: approx. 39 × 25 cm
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