Basilius Besler (1561, Nuremberg – 1629, Nuremberg) was a respected Nuremberg apothecary and botanist, best known for his monumental Hortus Eystettensis.
He was curator of the garden (Eichstätt Garden) of Johann Konrad von Gemmingen (1561 – 1612), Prince-bishop of Eichstätt in Bavaria. The bishop was an enthusiastic botanist who derived great pleasure from his garden, which rivaled Hortus Botanicus Leiden among early European botanical gardens outside Italy.
In 1611, the bishop, who was already quite ill, commissioned Besler to compile a codex of the plants growing in his garden, a task which Besler took sixteen years to complete, the bishop dying shortly before the work was published in 1613. This plant atlas or Florilegium was published by Ludwig Jungermann and printed in large format.
Golden chain (Laburnum)."I. Anagyris angustisfoliis. II. Anagyris latisfoliis". Orig. copper-engraving from B. Besler's (1561-1629) famous work Hortus Eystettensis. Orig. old colouring. Published in Nuremberg, 1613. 50:41,5 cm (19 3/4 x 16 1/4...
Common selfheal (Heal-all, Heart-of-the-earth)."I. Arbor Vitae. II. Prunella Officinarum. III. Chamaepitis Maior". Orig. copper-engraving from B. Besler's (1561-1629) famous work Hortus Eystettensis. Orig. old colouring. Published in Nuremberg,...
Besler. Primeroses and daisies. "I. Bellis prolifera variegata. II. Bellis minor floro rubra. III. Bellis ... alba. IV. Primula Veris Angustifolia rubra. V. Primula ... alba". Orig. copper-engraving from B. Besler's famous work Hortus Eystettensis. Orig. old colouring. Published in Nuremberg, 1613. 52:40,5 cm.
Buxus (boxwood) and lilacs."I. Buxus. II. Syringa flore coeruleo. III. Syringa flore lacteo". Orig. copper-engraving from B. Besler's (1561-1629) famous work Hortus Eystettensis. Coloured. Published in Nuremberg, 1613. 50:40,5 cm (19 3/4 x 16...
Besler. Garden carnation, cypress holly, thyme. "Caryophyll(us) plenus laete rubescens ..., Abrotanum foemina ..., Marum peregrinum". Orig. copperplate engraving, B. Besler, 'Hortus Eystettensis', Nuremberg, 1613. Orig. old colouring. 49:40 cm.
Besler. Primroses, chamois, chrysalis. "Primula veris flore pleno (&) gemino flore. Doronicum. Gariophyllata montana". Orig. copperplate engraving, B. Besler, 'Hortus Eystettensis', Nuremberg, 1613. Coloured. 49:40 cm.
Besler. Epipactis (helleborine), Orchis. "Epipactis ... Orchis ... Palma Christi". Orig. copperplate engraving, B. Besler, 'Hortus Eystettensis', Nuremberg, 1613. Coloured. 49:40 cm.
Basilius Besler. Pyrola (wintergreen), Eranthemum. "I. Pyrola. II. Eranthemum ... rubro. III. Eranthemum ... flammeo". Orig. copperplate engraving, B. Besler, 'Hortus Eystettensis', Nuremberg, 1613. Orig. old colouring. 49:40 cm.
Butcher's Broom and Jasmine(Philadelphus coronarius here as Syringa Italica flore albo pleno ... simplici). "I. Ruscus. II. Syringa Italica flore albo pleno. III. Syringa flore albo simplici". Orig. copper-engraving from B. Besler's (1561-1629)...