November 24, 2003
Aldrovandi’s Herbal
The treasures presented by the University of Bologna’s library at their ‘Librit’ site include selections from nine volumes (six printed works, two manuscripts, and an album of woodcuts), by one of the University’s most famous alumni, Ulisse Aldrovandi (1522-1605).
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Aldrovandi was a polymath who ‘wrote many works on natural studies, hydrology, various diseases, ornithology, botany, entomology, pharmacology, medicine, cosmology and legendary animals, such as dragons and unicorns.’ The present images are taken from a manuscript in which Aldrovandi painted representations of dozens of ‘alchemical plants.’
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This little herbal, continuing from volume XI of Aldrovandi's ‘Tavole di piante’ presents us with a proper thematic consistency, containing representations of fifty-six ‘alchemical plants.’ The images therein differ from those contained in the rest of Aldrovandi’s painted herbals, being less true-to-life, more stylised. They are embellished here and there with fantastic details, which often make reference to the supposed properties of the various herbs.
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For more about Aldrovandi, and about the museum at the University of Bologna which preserves much of his collection of naturalia see Il Teatro della Natura di Ulisse Aldrovandi (in Italian only, alas).
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