Printed leaf with original woodcuts of mythological creatures from the rare incunabula Hortus Sanitatis (Garden of Health). (290 x 197mm – 11 3/8 x 7 ¾’’)
Printed by John Prüss, Strassburg, c. 1497. (Reference Goff H 488, Gesamtkatalog der Weigendrcke, 13549).
The mythological creatures on this leaf include a Basilisk (or cockatrice) - a legendary reptile reputed to be a serpent king which was a hybrid serpent and rooster, whose glance could kill, a Rinoceron - a large beast which breathed fire, and the swift and fierce Unicorn (or monoceros).
The Hortus Sanitatis by Prüss is the third and most extensive of the fundamental medieval botanical compilations which are now generally called herbals.
Presented in an archival 16 x 12'' mat
