Weinmann, Johann Wilhelm Pl. 519

Pl. 519. From Johann Wilhelm Weinmann’s Phytanthoza Iconographia Sive Conspectus. 

Ratisbon: Hieronymum Lenzium, 1739. 15 1/2 x 9/34. Etching and mezzotint by Johann J. Haid and Seuter.  Printed with colors and finished by hand.  Full margins.  Some stains in margins, otherwise good condition. 

This print is from one of the most diverse and comprehensive series of early fruit and flower prints, issued by Johann Weinmann in the first part of the eighteenth century.  The subjects are beautifully drawn and rendered with vivid color.  These prints are particularly interesting as early examples of color printing.  The copper plate was prepared with etched outlines and mezzotinted interior tones.  The images were then printed in color from the plates, and each was delicately finished with hand coloring.  A large number of the drawings were done by Georg D. Ehret, one of the greatest eighteenth century botanical artists.  This is a famous group of high-quality eighteenth century botanical prints.