J. C. Volkamer. The Book of Citrus Fruits. 45th ed.

J. C. Volkamer The Book of Citrus Fruits 45th Ed

A Baroque Masterpiece of Citrus Culture

Lemons, limes, and bitter oranges appear in this extraordinary work like celestial bodies suspended above villas, gardens, and landscapes. J. C. Volkamer transforms botanical observation into a visual universe between science, art, and Baroque imagination.

Description

This monumental work brings together one of the most important series of botanical illustrations from the early 18th century.

Around 170 species of citrus fruits are shown in hand-colored copperplate engravings, which go far beyond a simple representation of nature. Each plate combines precise botanical documentation with carefully staged landscapes.

The Nuremberg merchant J. C. Volkamer was a passionate collector of exotic plants. For years, he had citrus fruits brought from Italy, North Africa, and other regions to Nuremberg, cultivating them in his gardens. From this passion arose a unique work on citrus culture and European garden art.

The scenes depict idealized gardens, Italian coastal landscapes, and imaginary places where architecture and nature merge. Citrus trees bear heavy fruits over sun-drenched courtyards, while entire plant landscapes appear as authentic scenic backdrops.

Highlights

• Around 170 hand-colored copperplate engravings

• Depiction of historical citrus species in original size

• Baroque garden and landscape scenes between reality and imagination

• Fusion of botany, art history, and garden culture

• Expanded TASCHEN edition with newly discovered plates

Product details

• Hardcover

• Format: 15.6 × 21.7 cm

• Weight: 1.10 kg

• Extent: 492 pages

• Multilingual: German, English, French

• Publisher: TASCHEN Verlag
• Author: Iris Lauterbach is a German art historian and specialist in European garden art from the 16th to the 20th century. She works at the Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte in Munich and teaches at TU München.