An original hand coloured leaf from Hieronymus Bock's Herb Book printed in 1565

An original 465 year old hand coloured woodcut print depicting Boneset / Aster.

It was published by J. Rihel in Strasbourg, 1565.

Hieronymus Bock (1498-1554) was a German botanist, physician and Lutheran minister who began the transition from medieval botany to the modern scientific world view by arranging plants by their relation or resemblance. In the wine world Bock is noted for having the first documented use of the word 'Riesling' in 1552, when it was mentioned in his Latin herbal.

His 'Kreutterbuch" or Herbal Book was illustrated by the artist David Kandel, who was one of the greatest and earliest pioneers of botanical art. His beautifully rendered images opened the eyes of many as to the wonderful varieties of plant life. Kandel's activities as a woodcut artist are varied. He designed several portraits, some biblical scenes, animal studies, topographical views and a number of valuable early maps. His greatest works however are his botanical woodcuts, and of these nothing surpasses his work for the Kreutterbuch of Hieronymus Bock.

The most outstanding feature of the Kreutterbuch is the 550 woodcuts designed by Kandel. The superb artistry and accuracy of the woodcuts borne from his tremendous study of ancient and medieval texts and examination of recent findings set new standards for botanical art. The foliage, flowers and even the root systems are all handled with a combination of detail and delicacy which is unique to the great era of the Renaissance woodcut.