Gart der gesuntheit - Ortus sanitatis (Herbarius) 1485

This herbal, Gart der gesuntheit, was printed around 1485 by Peter Schöffer the Elder, using early printing technology. The illustrations and text were created through woodcut printing, a laborious process of carving away the negative space around an image or letter on a block of wood, inking the remaining surface, and then pressing it onto paper. Consider the labor involved in producing each page: the meticulous carving of the woodblocks, the mixing of ink, the careful alignment and pressure required for each impression. These books represented a significant investment of time and skill. The texture of the paper itself, made from linen rags, speaks to the value placed on durable, high-quality materials. Each page bears the mark of human effort and ingenuity, reflecting a pre-industrial world where craft and knowledge were deeply intertwined. Looking at this book, we’re reminded of the intimate connection between material, process, and the transmission of knowledge. It’s a powerful example of how craft shaped culture in the early days of print.