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Flora, seu de florum cultura. Lib. IV. Editio Nova. (edited by Bernhard Rottendorff). Amsterdam J. Janssonius, 1646. 4to. (45) + (1 blank) + 522 + (12)pp. Engraved title showing the personification of Flora with portrait of dedicatee, the Bishop of Osnabrück, on verso, and 45 full-page plates included in pagination with additional separate plate of Arbuscula coralii at p381, historiated woodcut capitals. Contemporary vellum with remains of ties. This magnificent horticultural thesis was not only the first of its kind to deal with the contemporary flower garden (rather than as derived from the classical authors), but it was also a most splendid production with engravings sponsored by the Barberini family showing innovatory horticultural techniques and allegorical compositions by famous artists. The four books describe the choice of site and preparation (military technologists were frequently employed in garden planning, and daring earth-moving works conceived; Ferrari names several celebrated contemporary gardens as examples, see also note below). Selected species for planting are then described; they include narcissi, hyacinths, cyclamen, paeonies, carnations, anemones and China roses. Thirdly, planting and cultivation is extensively dealt with referring in particular to the latest methods. Finally, Ferrari details the use of flowers in arrangements, both in the soil and as artistic devices; knowing their various characteristics and qualities, he describes how best to enjoy each kind. The fine plates include 8 of garden designs; each have geometric plots with intersecting paths for ease of cultivation. Several plates show individual flowers (8 are of narcissi) and shrubs; there are also horticultural implements, an ingenious pest deterrent, flower arrangements and cross-sections of vases showing how the stalks can be kept watered by capillary reaction; particularly interesting is the first known illustration of a specially adapted case for transporting cut flowers (Ferrari, p431). These were all designed by the skilled artist Anna Maria Vaiani. The 7 splendid baroque allegorical engravings are by J.F. Greuter and Claude Mellon after drawings by Guido Reni, Andrea Sacehi and Pietro da Cortona; included is the latter s famous Triumph of Nature over Art . This second Latin edition is edited by Bernhard Rottendorff, chief physician of Monster, and is dedicated with a long address to the Bishop of Osnabriick. Ferrari s original dedication to Francesco Barherini, who had financed the illustrations, is also included. Giovanni Battista Ferrari was born in Siena in 1584; he was a member of the Jesuit order, and a teacher, but is chiefly remembered for his two great books on horticulture, the above work and the Hesperides (see no 121); he died in 1655. A very good fresh copy, with only faint toning to one or two leaves. The earlier Latin and Italian editions (1633 and 1638) are invariably substantially browned due to the poor quality of paper used. Nissen 620. Pritzel 2877. See Georgina Masson, Italian Flower Collectors Gardens in Seventeenth Century Italy in The Italian Flower Garden (edited by David Coffin), Dumbarton Oaks, 1972, pp72-80, on the garden of Francesco Caetani (Duke of Sermoneta) near Cisterna, which the author describes as of particular interest because, in his gardening book, Ferrari singled it out as a perfect example of contemporary planting. Furthermore, a section of the main parterre at Cisterna is the only (illustration) of an existing garden to appear in a book (Ferrari, p217). The same article gives extensive details of the carefully devised planting as documented in the Cactani archival manuscripts. Additionally, David Coffin in Gardens and Gardening in Papal Rom , 1991, pp 175-8, confirms the importance of Ferrari s major Roman horticultural treatise . He points out that the new invention of edging (compartments) with bricks (pianelle) favoured by Ferrari was used at the Caetani garden, and each. Seller Inventory # ABE-8982362128
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