Image from Plants from the R. Botanic Gardens of Padua

Between the eighteenth and nineteenth century, botany became an autonomous discipline no longer only linked to medicine; and plants began to be studied in all their characteristics, regardless of their therapeutic properties or economic and practical uses.

Following Linnaeus' publication and the increasing popularity of his binomial classification system of plants, botany became a true branch of scientific research and this had important effects on botanical representations. In such texts details on the leaves, seeds, and fruits, which allow scientific recognition of each part, are included to the image of the entire plant.

At the same time, actual didactic plates are developed which are devoted specifically to the teaching of botanical science and are often closely related to botanical gardens, the main place for this type of teaching.

Works presented:

Nicolaus Jacquin, Hortus botanicus Vindobonensis (1770-1776)

Piante del R. Orto di Padova (eighteen to nineteenth century)

  »  Hortus botanicus Vindobonensis