La Mandragore - Calmet 1722

📜 Description
Original botanical engraving from Augustin Calmet’s “Dictionnaire historique, critique, chronologique, géographique et littéral de la Bible(...)”, published in Paris in 1722 by Emery, Saugrain and Pierre Martin. The plate depicts the mandrake in a scientific and symbolic composition centered on the anthropomorphic root of the plant, accompanied by broad leaves, violet flowers and fruits arranged according to the analytical structure typical of early eighteenth-century botanical illustration. Around the principal subject appear enlarged details of the fruit and seeds, intended for the classification and naturalistic study of the species. The lower inscription “La Mandragore avec ses fleurs et son fruit” clearly identifies the subject and emphasizes the didactic purpose of the image, described as drawn “sur la plante naturelle au jardin du Roy à Paris”, a direct reference to the Jardin du Roi in Paris, one of the most important scientific botanical centers of the period. Traditionally associated with magical, medicinal and symbolic beliefs, the mandrake is here represented with encyclopedic rigor, combining scientific observation with the established iconography of one of the most renowned plants in European herbal tradition. This antique print retains documentary and collectible value for the quality of the engraving and for its connection to eighteenth-century French biblical and scientific publishing.

📚 Historical-Artistic Note
Augustin Calmet, an eighteenth-century French Benedictine scholar, authored important historical and biblical works incorporating geographical, naturalistic and antiquarian studies. The botanical plates included in his “Dictionnaire historique(...)” served an explanatory and documentary purpose, intended to clarify the plant species mentioned in Sacred Scripture and ancient tradition. The Paris edition of 1722, published by Emery, Saugrain and Pierre Martin, reflects the quality of French scientific publishing of the period and the close relationship between naturalistic illustration and encyclopedic culture.

🧾 Technical Sheet
Type: original botanical engraving
Author / Manufacture: A. Calmet
Publisher / Printer: Emery, Saugrain, Pierre Martin, Paris
Place: Paris
Period: 1722
Material: paper
Technique: etching
Subject / Title: “La Mandragore avec ses fleurs et son fruit”
Edition / Print Run: from “Dictionnaire historique, critique, chronologique, géographique et littéral de la Bible(...)”
Dimensions: sheet 25 x 39 cm; engraving 20 x 31.5 cm
Marks / Signatures / Inscriptions: lower margin inscription “La Mandragore avec ses fleurs et son fruit. Dessinée sur la plante naturelle au jardin du Roy à Paris”

🔍 Condition Report
Minor scattered foxing consistent with the age of the paper, with the engraving remaining sharp and well preserved in detail. Structurally sound sheet in overall excellent condition. Blank verso.