Johann Joachim Becher (1635–1682) – "Kalmus / Acorus" – Hand-Coloured Botanical Woodcut – From Phytologia (Circa 1680)

Johann Joachim Becher (1635–1682) – "Kalmus / Acorus" – Hand-Coloured Botanical Woodcut – From Phytologia (Circa 1680)
This beautifully hand-coloured woodcut illustrates the Acorus plant (Sweet Flag) — shown in both its flowering and medicinal stages. The print comes from Phytologia, an early German botanical and medicinal work attributed to Johann Joachim Becher, a polymath and court physician known for his contributions to alchemy, pharmacology, and economic theory.The engraving reflects the transitional period between Renaissance herbals and Enlightenment-era natural science, where botany, poetry, and materia medica were deeply intertwined. The fine blackletter typography and German poetic text describe the plant’s uses and symbolic value — particularly its medicinal root.Becher was instrumental in bridging early scientific rationalism with traditional remedies. His work contributed not only to plant taxonomy and pharmacology, but also to the philosophical understanding of nature's interconnected systems.Artist or maker:Johann Joachim BecherMedium:Hand-coloured EngravingDate:1680Dimensions:32 cm × 19 cmCondition Description:This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.