122 Joseph Pitton de Tournefort (1656–1708) after Claude Aubriet - Hand-coloured Engraving - Ficus carica - Common Fig

This work is considered to be one of Tournefort's major botanical works. Linné (Linnaeus) named the plant Tournefortia after him. The present edition is in fact the second Latin edition, the first edition refers to the 'Élémens de botanique'; Hunt 450: "Tournefort's significance lies in the fact of having classified all plants into genera. Hundreds of the generic names coined or accepted by him were later adopted by Linnaeus and are in use today ."

Joseph Pitton de Tournefort (1656–1708) was a French botanist and explorer, renowned for his contributions to the field of botany. He is best known for his work "Institutiones rei herbariae," which provided a systematic classification of plants into genera, laying the groundwork for future botanical studies. Tournefort's classification system was influential and was later expanded upon by Carl Linnaeus, who named the genus Tournefortia in his honor.

Tournefort traveled extensively, particularly in the Mediterranean region, where he studied various plant species and gathered valuable specimens. His meticulous observations and detailed descriptions helped to advance the understanding of plant taxonomy and botanical nomenclature during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. His work is considered a significant milestone in the history of botany.

Provenance: Carl Olof Agardh (1785-1859), Swedish algologist; August Rudberg (1842-1912), Swedish clergyman and botanist.

Ref. Nissen 1977, Pritzel 9427. Stafleu: TL-2 14783; Hunt 450.

Artist or Maker: 

Joseph Pitton de Tournefort

Dimensions:

18 cm x 23 cm

Medium: 

Engraving

Date: 

1719