149 Johann Joachim Becher (1635–1682) – Hand-coloured Botanical Engraving – Mespilus Aronia & Mespilus from Oder Kräuter-Buch (1662)

This finely hand-coloured botanical engraving of Mespilus Aronia and Mespilus is extracted from Johann Joachim Becher's Oder Kräuter-Buch, published in 1662. The engraving meticulously depicts the two plant species with their characteristic fruits and leaves, accompanied by German text detailing their medicinal properties and applications. Becher, a German physician, alchemist, and naturalist, was a pioneer in the fields of early chemistry and herbal medicine. His work is emblematic of the 17th-century scientific spirit, blending empirical observation with speculative theories about natural processes. Becher’s Oder Kräuter-Buch is a testament to his commitment to documenting the healing properties of plants, marking an important contribution to early botanical science. The work was published in Germany, 1662.