Hortus Eystettensis

What is Hortus Eystettensis?

Hortus Eystettensis is a book filled with large, finely detailed engravings of plants that once grew in the garden of the Prince-Bishop of Eichstätt. Each page shows several species, often close to life-size, capturing flowers, herbs, and vegetables in both flower and fruit. The images are arranged by season, and the book was produced in both plain and hand-coloured editions. Its pages measure about 57 by 46 centimeters, making it a substantial work, and the illustrations are both scientifically precise and visually appealing.

Where does Hortus Eystettensis come from?

The book was commissioned by Bishop Johann Konrad von Gemmingen to record the diverse plants in his palace garden, which was the first botanical garden in Germany and unique outside Italy at the time. Basilius Besler, who managed the garden, led the project with help from his brother and several artists and engravers. Work began in 1611 and took sixteen years, with the final book published in 1613. The garden itself was set on terraces at Willibaldsburg, overlooking Eichstätt, and included plants gathered from many parts of the world.

How Hortus Eystettensis is made

To create Hortus Eystettensis, Besler and his team drew and engraved images of each plant, showing them as they appeared in the garden through the seasons. The first edition included 367 full-page copper engravings, each with an average of three species. Some copies were printed in black and white for reference, while others were hand-coloured for collectors. The descriptive text was written in Latin, and the captions often used the first words of the plant's description.

When and where Hortus Eystettensis is used

The book served as a record of the Prince-Bishop's garden and as a reference for botanists and collectors. Its detailed images made it valuable for identifying plants and appreciating their beauty. The luxury coloured editions were prized by wealthy buyers, while the plain versions were used for study. Today, it is considered a landmark in botanical illustration and garden history.

Forms of Hortus Eystettensis

Hortus Eystettensis was published in several editions, including a luxury hand-coloured version and a more affordable black-and-white one. Later editions appeared in 1640 and 1713, using the original plates. The book has been translated into French and Italian, and many of its plates survive in collections such as the Albertina.

What Hortus Eystettensis means

The book marked a turning point in botanical illustration, moving beyond simple medicinal drawings to detailed, artistic depictions of garden plants. It reflected the Renaissance interest in nature and collecting, and its seasonal arrangement influenced later works. Besler's portrait on the frontispiece, holding basil, adds a personal touch. Hortus Eystettensis remains an important reference for historians of art and botany.

Questions people ask about Hortus Eystettensis

Good reading and sources

• Hortus Eystettensis on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data