Basilius Besler
In the early 17th century, apothecary and botanist Basilius Besler (1561-1629) documented the flowering plants of the Bavarian Eichstätt palace garden of Prince-Bishop Johann Konrad von Gemmingen. Besler created the three-volume Hortus Eystettensis, published in 1613, comprising 367 copperplate engravings and detailing thousands of plants. He and a team of skilled engravers depicted the plants at every bloom stage across the seasons. The legacy of Besler’s work endures through highly sought-after single-page images. Occasionally, a first edition copy of the Hortus Eystettensis may surface at auction, realizing prices over two million dollars—a testament to its enduring value among collectors and connoisseurs of botanical art. The pieces we offer here are from various editions of the Hortus Eystettensis.
 
	 
		 
		 
		 
		 
		 
		 
		 
		 
		 
		 
		 
		 
		