Pliny Collection

1551 Gesner armoured rhino after Durer
Gesner Woodcut " Icones Animalium" 1560, reproduced from 1551. Published Christoph Froschover, Zurich. Gesner reproduces this image faithfully from the famous 1515 woodcut by Durer

Prickly poppy, Argemone mexicana, and butcher's broom, Rustus aculeata
FLO4667111 Prickly poppy, Argemone mexicana, and butcher's broom, Rustus aculeata. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicer's Krauterbuch, or Herbal

Reconstruction of Ancient Roman reaping cart, as described by Pliny. Aristotle believed that motion was a continuous
530339 Reconstruction of Ancient Roman reaping cart, as described by Pliny. Aristotle believed that motion was a continuous pushing action

Reconstruction of Ancient Roman reaping cart, as described by Pliny. Aristotle believed that motion was a continuous
530340 Reconstruction of Ancient Roman reaping cart, as described by Pliny. Aristotle believed that motion was a continuous pushing action

DEATH OF PLINY
GAIUS PLINIUS SECUNDUS He dies, a martyr to science, while observing the eruption of Veusvius Date: 23 - 79 AD

Roman Scientist and Scholar Plinius Secundus Dying
Gaius Plinius Secundus Roman scientist and scholar; dies while observing an eruption of Vesuvius Date: 1855

Historiated Initial N depicting a man hewing trees, the Natural History by Pliny the Elder (23-79AD) (vellum)
XIR187884 Historiated Initial N depicting a man hewing trees, the Natural History by Pliny the Elder (23-79AD) (vellum) by Italian School, (15th century); Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, Venice

The eruption of Vesuvius 79AD
908849 The eruption of Vesuvius 79AD by Leroux, Louis Hector (1829-1900); (add.info.: Hutchinsons History of the Nations published Hutchinson & Co circa 1920); French, out of copyright

Prickly poppy, Argemone mexicana, and butcher s
Prickly poppy, Argemone mexicana, and butchers broom, Rustus aculeata. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicers Krauterbuch, or Herbal, Frankfurt, 1557

Villa of the younger Pliny (engraving)
654111 Villa of the younger Pliny (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Villa of the younger Pliny)

Perspective of the second eruption of Vesuvius, published 1750 (etching)
1275185 Perspective of the second eruption of Vesuvius, published 1750 (etching) by Perziado, Francesco Spagnolo (1713-1789); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; Spanish, out of copyright

The Apollo and Marsyas mosaic, detail of Pliny and Apollo, House of Aion, Paphos
696748 The Apollo and Marsyas mosaic, detail of Pliny and Apollo, House of Aion, Paphos, Cyprus (mosaic) by Roman, (3rd century AD); House of Aion, Kato Paphos

Roman literature, illustration from History of Rome by Victor Duruy, published 1884 (digitally enhanced image)
LLM438613 Roman literature, illustration from History of Rome by Victor Duruy, published 1884 (digitally enhanced image) by English School

Calm and unafraid, Pliny goes to his bath while Pompeii crashes to its doom (colour litho)
6002695 Calm and unafraid, Pliny goes to his bath while Pompeii crashes to its doom (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Calm and unafraid)

Forms of comets after the historian Pliny (engraving)
3098009 Forms of comets after the historian Pliny (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Forms of comets after the historian Pliny)

Roman literature (engraving)
664671 Roman literature (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Roman literature. Illustration from The Illustrated History of the World (Ward Lock, c 1880)

Pliny the Old. (23-79), Latin erudite and writer, in audience with the emperor Vespasian (9-79), chromolithograph, 1880

Perspective of the second eruption of Vesuvius, 1750
Perspective of the second eruption of Vesuvius, pub. 1750 (etching)

Pliny the Elder
Ancient Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder. Hand-colored halftone reproduction of an illustration

Ancient Roman villa of Pliny the Younger
Villa of Pliny the Younger, ancient Rome, circa 100 AD. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Vestal virgin Tuccia carries water colander prove
Vestal virgin Tuccia carries water in a colander to prove her innocence, The Vestal virgin Tuccia, by the river Tiber who is portrayed by a river god

CYPRUS. Paphos. House of Aion. The Apollo and Marsyas mosaic, detail of Pliny and Apollo, House of Aion. (3rd century AD). Roman art. Early Empire. Mosaic

Roman Scientist and Scholar Gaius Plinius Secundus
Gaius Plinius Secundus Roman scientist and scholar

PLINY THE ELDER (23-79). Gaius Plinius Secundus. Roman scholar, shown with his celebrated Natural History open before him. French woodcut, 1584

SEA MONSTERS, 1516. Sea serpent and dolphin from an edition of Pliny the Elder s
SEA MONSTERS, 1516. Sea serpent and dolphin from an edition of Pliny the Elders Historia Naturale, woodcut printed at Venice, Italy in 1516

ARTIST: ILLUMINATION, 1476. Artist in initial H : illumination from Italian manuscript, 1476, of Plinys Natural History

JEWELLER: ILLUMINATION. Jeweller in initial A : illumination from Italian manuscript, 1476, of Plinys Natural History

STATUE: ILLUMINATION. Statue in initial A : illumination from Italian manuscript, 1476, of Plinys Natural History

SCULPTOR IN INITIAL R : illumination from Italian manuscript, 1476, of Pliny s
SCULPTOR IN INITIAL R : illumination from Italian manuscript, 1476, of Plinys Natural History

Pre-binomial classification of species. Here two different species of the genus camel are named in Hebrew, Latin and Dutch, although only one species, the Bactrian is depicted

Death of Pliny the Elder (Gaius Plinius Secundus 23-79) in the eruption of Vesuvius. Roman writer and author of Historia naturalis. Engraving from Vie des Savants Illustres by Louis Figuier

Unicorn (Heb. Reem, Unicornis. Eenhoorn). From Handelene van de Natuere (Amsterdam 1644), Dutch translation of Natural History of Pliny Secundus, Pliny the Elder (23-79)

Lack of hygiene
A confinement showing complete lack of hygiene with people eating and drinking, a child playing, and a dog gnawing a bone, all in the same room in which a baby has just been delivered

Doctor taking a patients pulse: illumination from Italian manuscript of Plinys Natural History, 1476
DOCTOR AND PATIENT, 1476. Doctor taking a patients pulse: illumination from Italian manuscript of Plinys Natural History, 1476

Historia Naturalis Title Page
The title page from Historia Naturalis (Natural History) by Pliny the Elder. This 1st edition was published in Venice in 1469. Incunabulum, illuminated with watercolour and gold paint. 400mm x 270 mm

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"Exploring the Legacy of Pliny: A Journey through Time and Knowledge" Step into the world of Pliny, a renowned Roman scientist and scholar whose contributions continue to captivate us today. From ancient manuscripts to intricate engravings, we unravel the fascinating tales surrounding this influential figure. In 1551, Gesner's armoured rhino after Durer reminds us of Pliny's insatiable curiosity for nature's wonders. His comprehensive work, "Natural History, " depicted in a historiated initial N on vellum, reveals his tireless efforts to document every aspect of the natural world. The death of Elder Pliny serves as a poignant reminder of his unwavering dedication. As he perished during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD while attempting to rescue others, his sacrifice immortalized him as a symbol of bravery and intellectual pursuit. Meanwhile, Robert Basset's engraving on the title page of "Curiosities: or The Cabinet of Nature" pays homage to Pliny's vast knowledge. This compilation showcases his profound impact on subsequent generations who sought wisdom within its pages. Delving deeper into Pliny's life, we encounter select letters from his younger counterpart published in Boston. These epistles offer glimpses into both personal anecdotes and scholarly discussions that shaped his legacy. Amidst these literary treasures lies an enchanting engraving depicting the Villa of Younger Pliny—a testament to their shared passion for beauty and tranquility amidst bustling Roman society. Plunging back into nature itself, we discover prickly poppy and butcher s plants—species meticulously studied by our protagonist. Through these botanical explorations, Pliny unraveled secrets hidden within flora that still amaze scientists today. As we reflect upon these fragments from history—be it Gesner’s rhino or Younger Pliny’s villa—we are reminded that knowledge is timeless.