Jasmijn en peer 1617

This engraving of jasmine and pears was made by Crispijn van de Passe II in the Netherlands, sometime in the first half of the 17th century. Printed illustrations like this one played a crucial role in the development of the natural sciences at the time. How could you study plants from far-flung lands without an accurate picture? This image comes from a book, and we can see how the botanist's desire for information had to be balanced with the printer's need to fit everything on the page. The jasmine and pear are carefully arranged, almost like a design, and labeled in Latin. This was a scholarly project, aimed at other scientists, doctors, and apothecaries. If you want to know more about the history of botany, look to libraries and universities. Search their archives for letters, books, and specimens. It’s amazing what you might discover about the people who shaped our understanding of the natural world.