Very vivid early 18th century hand colored engraving of a plant (that I can't identify!) The modern dracunulus is a distinctly unpleasant smelling lily which does not resemble this plant. It is regardless quite beautiful. Valentini was a German physician, professor of medicine and collector of natural history specimens. After obtaining his doctorate in Giessen, he became a professor of medicine in that city and was the personal physician to the Margrave of Assia. He had an important cabinet of curiosities and was the author of Museorum Museum, the first study of collections in Europe. Mounted on hand marbled paper and framed in a vintage frame.
