Phytanthoza Iconographia: Plate 961: Tagetes Indica – Original Hand-Coloured Copper Engraving

Publisher: Johann Wilhelm Weinmann
Price: £295
Publication Date: Not dated but 1737-1745
Format: Original hand-coloured copper engraving
Condition: In near fine condition, unframed
Sheet Size: Sheet Size: 37.7cm x 24.2cm

Condition:

Dating from 1737-1745, these are plates from ‘Phytanthoza Iconographia’, one of the most important botanical works of the 18th century. The illustrations for this florilegium were by Georg Dionysius Ehret and the engravings by Seuter and Ridinger. It is widely considered to be the first botanical work to use colour engraved prints. Very minor age toning else in near fine, bright, clean condition. A rare plate from this important work.

Location: Map Drawer B: Weinmann folder: 002060

Tagetes: A Short Description

The Tagetes genus, commonly known as marigolds, belongs to the family Asteraceae (the daisy family). This genus is native to the Americas, particularly Mexico and Central America, but has become popular worldwide as ornamental garden plants. Marigolds are well-known for their bright, long-lasting flowers and are often grown for their beauty, pest-repelling properties, and traditional uses in both culinary and medicinal contexts.

Key Characteristics:

• Flowers: The flowers of Tagetes are typically large, showy, and range in colour from bright orange, yellow, and red to bi-coloured variations. The flowers are composite, meaning they are made up of multiple small flowers or florets, with either single or double flower heads.
• Leaves: The leaves are usually pinnately divided, giving them a fern-like appearance. They often have a strong, characteristic fragrance, which can repel certain pests.
• Growth Habit: Most Tagetes species are annuals or perennials that grow in a bushy form. They can range in size from small, compact plants (as short as 15 cm) to larger, more robust plants that can grow over 1 metre tall.

Common Tagetes Species:

1. Tagetes erecta (African Marigold or Aztec Marigold):
   • Size: One of the tallest species, growing up to 1–1.2 metres (3–4 feet).
   • Flowers: Large, pom-pom-like blooms in yellow, orange, and gold.
   • Uses: Often grown as an ornamental plant, and in some cultures, the flowers are used in religious ceremonies. The petals are edible and used as a natural food colourant.
2. Tagetes patula (French Marigold):
   • Size: A compact and bushy plant, usually growing up to 30 cm (1 foot).
   • Flowers: Smaller than T. erecta, but more diverse in colours, including orange, yellow, red, and maroon.
   • Uses: Popular for borders, garden beds, and containers. It is also known for repelling insects like nematodes in companion planting.
3. Tagetes tenuifolia (Signet Marigold):
   • Size: Low-growing plants, around 30 cm (1 foot) tall.
   • Flowers: Delicate, small flowers with a citrus-like fragrance.
   • Uses: Grown as an ornamental plant, with the flowers and leaves being edible. They are often used in salads and as a garnish.
4. Tagetes minuta (Southern Cone Marigold or Huacatay):
   • Size: Can grow up to 2 metres (6.5 feet) tall.
   • Flowers: Small and less showy than other Tagetes species, with tiny white or yellow flowers.
   • Uses: This species is important in South American cuisine, especially in Peruvian and Bolivian dishes. The leaves are used to make huacatay sauce. It is also used for its essential oils, which have medicinal and insecticidal properties.

Growing Conditions:

• Light: Marigolds thrive in full sun, though they can tolerate light shade.
• Soil: They prefer well-drained, moderately fertile soil but are adaptable and can grow in a wide range of soils, including poor soils.
• Watering: Marigolds prefer regular watering, but they are fairly drought-tolerant once established.
• Climate: Most Tagetes species are grown as annuals in temperate regions, but they can be perennial in tropical and sub-tropical areas. They are frost-sensitive and need warm temperatures to thrive.

Uses:

• Ornamental: Marigolds are widely grown for their bright, cheerful flowers and ease of cultivation. They are used in borders, containers, garden beds, and as cut flowers.
• Companion Planting: Marigolds are known for their pest-repellent properties. They are commonly planted with vegetables like tomatoes and peppers to help deter pests such as nematodes and aphids.
• Edible: The petals and leaves of some Tagetes species (particularly T. tenuifolia) are edible and have a peppery or citrus flavour. They are used as a garnish or added to salads.
• Medicinal: Traditionally, marigolds have been used for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. Essential oils from species like Tagetes minuta have insecticidal and medicinal uses.
• Cultural: Marigolds hold significant cultural importance in many parts of the world, especially in Mexico and India. In Mexico, they are used during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) to honour the deceased. In India, they are used for religious offerings and decorations during festivals like Diwali.

Interesting Facts:

• Marigolds have long been associated with the sun and are thought to bring positive energy and cheer to gardens.
• The name Tagetes comes from the Etruscan deity Tages, symbolising brightness and beauty.
• Tagetes species are often used to make natural dyes due to their vibrant orange and yellow pigments.

Johann Wilhelm Weinmann: A Short Biography

Johann Wilhelm Weinmann (1683–1741) was a German apothecary and botanical illustrator, best known for his ambitious botanical work “Phytanthoza Iconographia”, one of the first large-scale botanical publications to use colour printing techniques. His contributions to botanical science and art remain significant due to the precision and beauty of the illustrations in this monumental work.

Early Life and Career

Weinmann was born on March 13, 1683, in Gardelegen, Germany. Little is known about his early life and education, but it is believed that he trained as an apothecary. He later moved to Regensburg, where he established himself as a successful pharmacist and herbalist. His deep interest in plants, herbs, and their medicinal properties grew during his time working in this field.

Apothecary and Botanist

In Regensburg, Weinmann became a prominent figure within the city’s apothecary and botanical circles. He was appointed as an apothecary to the city and managed a successful pharmacy. His knowledge of medicinal plants led him to compile information on various species, both local and exotic, and their medicinal uses. His desire to document plants in a comprehensive way led to the creation of his “Phytanthoza Iconographia”, an illustrated botanical text that would become his life’s work and enduring legacy.

Phytanthoza Iconographia

Between 1737 and 1745, Weinmann published “Phytanthoza Iconographia”, a multi-volume botanical work that contains over 1,000 hand-coloured engravings of plants. The project was highly ambitious, and it became one of the first large botanical works to use colour printing methods, specifically mezzotint, to produce vivid, life-like representations of plants.

• The work was executed by multiple artists and engravers under Weinmann’s direction. Notable among them were Georg Dionysius Ehret, who later became one of the most famous botanical illustrators of the 18th century, and Bartholomäus Seuter. Ehret contributed many of the early plates, but after a dispute with Weinmann, he left the project.
• Phytanthoza Iconographia featured plants from Europe as well as species newly discovered in the Americas and Asia, making it a valuable resource for both scientists and horticulturists of the time. The illustrations were praised for their accuracy and artistic quality, helping to advance the knowledge of botany and horticulture during a period of rapid exploration and scientific discovery.

Contributions to Science and Art

Weinmann’s work was notable for its detailed and systematic approach to documenting plants. It provided a comprehensive guide to plant taxonomy, using illustrations to aid in the identification of species. The combination of scientific rigour and artistic achievement in Phytanthoza Iconographia made it a key reference for botanists and gardeners throughout Europe.

The book also marked a significant advancement in the printing industry. The use of colour mezzotint—a technique that allowed for richer and more nuanced colour in printed images—was revolutionary at the time, and the accuracy of the plant depictions influenced botanical illustration for generations.

Personal Life and Legacy

Johann Wilhelm Weinmann passed away on March 1741, before the completion of his magnum opus. However, his work continued to be published posthumously, and it remained highly regarded in both botanical and artistic circles. Weinmann’s legacy lies in his pioneering approach to botanical illustration and his role in advancing the understanding of plant species and their medicinal properties. Phytanthoza Iconographia remains a valuable historical document and is still admired today for both its scientific importance and its aesthetic appeal.

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