Charles de l'Écluse and Libri picturati A. 16–30

Abstract

Libri picturati A. 16–30 from the former Preussischer Staatsbibliothek in Berlin comprise a high quality ensemble of sixteenth century drawings of animals and plants. Since their rediscovery in Biblioteka Jagiellońska. Cracow, Poland, several different theories have arisen about the origin of the collection, as a result of work done by several scholars. Jacob van Corenhuyse has been identified as the author of some of the drawings, and Karel van Sint Omaar and Karel van Aremberg as the consecutive owners of the collection. Careful examination of the drawings confirms the important role played by the Flemish botanist Charles de l'Écluse (Clusius) in forming the collection. L'Écluse's correspondence reveals the existence of a second painter, possibly Peeter van der Borcht, who may have been the author of the drawings done using dried specimens. One hundred and twenty of the drawings in the collection were used by Officina Plantiniana (Antwerp) as the templates for the engravings in l'Écluse's publications.