Cruijdeboeck

Botanical Work

Pieter van der (I) Borcht (designer), Antoni van Leest (woodcarver [print artist])
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Submission
Royal Academy Fine Arts, Antwerp
Language
Dutch
Source
Commerical Organisation
Format
Website Content
Era
Early Modern: 1500—1800
Sphere
Cultural
Submission
Royal Academy Fine Arts, Antwerp
Language
Dutch
Source
Commerical Organisation
Format
Website Content
Era
Early Modern: 1500—1800
Sphere
Cultural
Cruijdeboeck Title Page, Inventory No. MPM.HB.08238, Museum Plantin Moretus, Antwerp

This woodblock, designed by Pieter van der Borcht I and carved by Antoni van Leest, was used for the title pages of the 1554 and 1563 editions of Cruijdeboeck by Rembert Dodoens, an influential early modern botanical work.

The intricate woodcut features mythological figures symbolising themes related to botany, aligning with the book's content. Notably, the 1563 edition introduced modifications to the design, replacing the central heraldic shield of Maria of Hungary with a floral vase, reflecting changing patronage or aesthetic considerations.

The woodblock exemplifies the Renaissance fascination with the intersection of science, mythology, and art. Signed by the creators ("P B" and "A") and preserved through its acquisition in 1876, this piece is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship of 16th-century printmaking and its role in disseminating knowledge. It also underscores the Plantin-Moretus Museum’s dedication to safeguarding historical artifacts from the golden age of book printing.

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