Theatrum Botanicum, the Theatre of Plants or An Universal and Compleat Herball. 1640

This woodcut illustration from John Parkinson's "Theatrum Botanicum" depicts a plant called "Motherwort." Parkinson was a renowned English botanist who published this book in 1640. This detailed depiction of Motherwort, with its intricate leaves and root system, showcases Parkinson's meticulous botanical illustration style. The artwork is a testament to the 17th-century interest in herbalism and the medicinal properties of plants. This woodcut, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, is a valuable example of early scientific illustration and its enduring relevance in the history of botany and medicine.