Lactuca Perennis Possibly 1757 - 1764

Johann Hieronymus Kniphof created this image of Lactuca Perennis, or perennial lettuce, using a technique called nature printing sometime in the mid-18th century. This method involved inking an actual plant specimen and pressing it onto paper, resulting in remarkably detailed botanical illustrations. This print reflects the growing scientific interest in botany during the Enlightenment, as scholars sought to classify and understand the natural world. It speaks to the rise of scientific societies and the establishment of botanical gardens as centers of research and education. The practice of nature printing also democratized knowledge, making accurate representations of plants accessible beyond the elite circles of academic science. Botanical illustrations like this played a crucial role in disseminating knowledge about plants, their properties, and potential uses. To fully appreciate its significance, we might consult period botanical treatises and explore the history of scientific illustration and printing.