Viscum album L.
Print
1770-1777 (made)
1770-1777 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Initially, taxonomy or the classification of plants was haphazard and inconsistent. In the 17th century there gradually developed a new system, based on the physical similarities between the reproductive features of plants. Thus illustration, which in the herbal tradition had been simply a means of distinguishing one plant from another, now took on the role of analytic tool. It was used to record the detailed physical character of the plant and show the similarity of characteristics.
Miller displays two branches of mistletoe at different stages of development to give a fuller picture of the plant's lifecycle. The book from which this illustration is taken attempted to illustrate the Linnaean classification system. Devised by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, this system organised species according to the physical similarities of their reproductive parts.
Miller's 'Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus' was one of the most successful books of the time. The publication appeared in parts between 1770 and 1777. The plants illustrated are mostly common varieties such as this mistletoe. Linnaeus himself praised its illustrations as 'more beautiful and more accurate than any since the world began.'
Miller displays two branches of mistletoe at different stages of development to give a fuller picture of the plant's lifecycle. The book from which this illustration is taken attempted to illustrate the Linnaean classification system. Devised by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, this system organised species according to the physical similarities of their reproductive parts.
Miller's 'Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus' was one of the most successful books of the time. The publication appeared in parts between 1770 and 1777. The plants illustrated are mostly common varieties such as this mistletoe. Linnaeus himself praised its illustrations as 'more beautiful and more accurate than any since the world began.'
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Titles |
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Materials and techniques | Hand-coloured engraving |
Brief description | Botanical illustration by Johann Sebastian Müller (John Miller), (1715-92); hand-coloured engraving of mistletoe (Viscum album) for 'An Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus'; London; 1770-1777 |
Physical description | Botanical study. Two branches of mistletoe shown at different stages of growth, the top with berries and the lower with buds; to the left and below drawings of various stages of berry and flower formation. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | Viscumalbum / Mistletoe (pencil, lower centre) |
Gallery label | John Miller 1715-92
Common Mistletoe (Viscum album L.)
1770-7
Miller displays two branches of mistletoe at different stages of development to give a fuller picture of the plant's lifecycle. Dissections of flower, fruit and seed are also given. The book from which this illustration is taken attempted to illustrate the Linnaean classification system.
London
Hand-coloured engraving
Plate from 'An Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus'
(London, 1770-7)
V&A: E.116-1892(2011) |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | Initially, taxonomy or the classification of plants was haphazard and inconsistent. In the 17th century there gradually developed a new system, based on the physical similarities between the reproductive features of plants. Thus illustration, which in the herbal tradition had been simply a means of distinguishing one plant from another, now took on the role of analytic tool. It was used to record the detailed physical character of the plant and show the similarity of characteristics. Miller displays two branches of mistletoe at different stages of development to give a fuller picture of the plant's lifecycle. The book from which this illustration is taken attempted to illustrate the Linnaean classification system. Devised by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, this system organised species according to the physical similarities of their reproductive parts. Miller's 'Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus' was one of the most successful books of the time. The publication appeared in parts between 1770 and 1777. The plants illustrated are mostly common varieties such as this mistletoe. Linnaeus himself praised its illustrations as 'more beautiful and more accurate than any since the world began.' |
Bibliographic reference | Miller, John. An Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus. London, issued in parts between 1770-1777 and as a folio edition in 1779. |
Collection | |
Accession number | E.116-1892 |
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Record created | June 30, 2009 |
Record URL |
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