Amaranthus cristatus…[Amaranth]

An attractive print from a landmark botanical volume.

This gorgeous assortment of amaranth flowers (amaranthus) was originally issued as part of Johann Weinmann’s “Phythantoza Iconographia”, published in Regensburg between 1737-45. The influential compilation of over 1,000 botanical prints required exacting press work, as the color was printed with hand-applied highlights prior to binding – an innovative method that allowed for particularly striking (albeit sometimes inaccurate) representations.

Three variants of the flowering perennial are depicted, noting differences in color, flower structure, and leaf shape.