Herbarum vivae eicones 1530

This is a page from Otto Brunfels's "Herbarum vivae eicones," created in the 16th century. The structure is defined by two blocks of text on either side, framing botanical illustrations at the center. Note how Brunfels uses stark lines to depict the Narcissus plant on the right page. The composition is divided, with text acting as a formal element to balance the illustration. This is a key aspect: the images are not merely decorative but integral to the book's function, blending science with art. The texture of the paper and the ink creates contrast, emphasizing the precision of the linework. Brunfels destabilizes the traditional boundaries between art and science. The semiotic system here communicates both botanical information and aesthetic value, reflecting a humanist approach to knowledge. It invites us to reconsider how we categorize and understand the relationship between observation and artistic expression. The very structure of the page insists on this interplay.