Copper engraving in mezzotint, hand-retouched vintage color print, 375 x 240 mm Taken from "Phytanthoza Iconographia," a highly significant work for its technical innovations in color printing, the first work to feature Ehret, the greatest botanical artist of the 18th century. The work is based on the botanical collection of Weinmann (1683–1741), apothecary of the oldest pharmacy in Regensburg, who organized and financed the publication of Phytanthoza Iconographia, a celebrated and splendid anthology that influenced the publication of similar works throughout the world. The mezzotint process used here was invented by Johann Teyler in the Netherlands around 1688 and allowed for delicate lines and a very fine grain. The colors were then hand-retouched for a magnificent rendering. An excellent full-margin copy, with beautiful contemporary coloring.