The Plate Room
31,861 woodcuts, engravings and hand-coloured plates of living things, cut from the pages of herbals, bestiaries and natural histories scanned by the world's libraries and gathered in the Source Library. Every plate links to the page it came from. For one herbal read cover to cover, visit the Herball Room.
Hand-colored engraving of a brightly patterned fish labeled 'Turdus &c', shown vertically with its head pointing downwards.
1743 · The Natural History of Carolina Florida and Bahama Islands Vol. 2
Hand-colored engraving depicting the life cycle and anatomy of frogs, including mating pairs, egg-laying, and frog spawn, alongside a clover plant.
1758 · August Johann Rösel von Rosenhof — Historia naturalis ranarum nostratium (1758)
Scientific illustration of the mushroom Agaricus mollis, showing three specimens in various stages and a cross-section.
1791 · Histoire des Champignons de la France, Vol 2
Botanical plate of L'Agaric Safrané (Agaricus croceus) showing various growth stages and a cross-section.
1791 · Histoire des Champignons de la France, Vol 2
Hand-colored botanical engraving of Clavaria fungi species
1797 · Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms
Detailed botanical illustration of Agaricus maculatus (Spotted Toughshank) showing multiple specimens and a cross-section.
1797 · Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms
A complex woodcut reproduction of a medieval manuscript illumination featuring a large stylized pinecone or tree surrounded by numerous birds and floral motifs.
1847 · Carmina Burana
Scientific illustration of three mushroom specimens: two white funnel-shaped mushrooms and one bright orange zoned funnel-shaped mushroom.
1855 · Iconography of the Mushrooms of Paulet
A comprehensive mycological plate (Tab. XVI) containing twenty numbered figures illustrating the morphology and microscopic anatomy of various fungi species.
1863 · Selecta Fungorum Carpologia, Vol 2
Six naturalistic studies of deer and stags in various poses, including grazing and scratching.
1909 · The Numeral Playing Cards of the Master of Playing Cards
Botanical plate of Agaricus fusipes mushrooms
n.d. · Les champignons de la France : histoire, description, culture, usages des espèces comestibles, vénéneuses, suspectes, employés dans les arts, l'industrie, l'économie domestique et la médecine
Botanical illustration of Agaricus mutabilis mushrooms growing from decaying wood.
n.d. · Illustrations of British Mycology, Second Series
Microscopic anatomical section of a Corin (Currant) branch showing cellular structures.
n.d. · The Anatomy of Plants (Vol. 1)
A detailed botanical illustration of a tree with a central trunk, spreading branches, and dense foliage interspersed with small fruits.
1150 · Parts of the Treatise on Plants
A miniature of a dove perched on a branch within a green square frame.
1350 · Introductory Book
Two birds, possibly eagles, perched together against a blue background within a red border.
1350 · Introductory Book
Four cranes standing in a landscape with green hills and stylized trees.
1450 · Houghton Library. MS Typ 150. Fiore di virtu.
A bull or ox in a landscape with green hills and a tree, where a hunter in red is partially visible hiding behind the trunk.
1450 · Houghton Library. MS Typ 150. Fiore di virtu.
Miniature showing a variety of animals including cattle, sheep, a stag, a bear, and monkeys in a landscape.
1460 · Livre des merveilles du monde (Book of the Marvels of the World)
Woodcut depicting an ostrich and a glass vessel containing a bird, with serpents.
1481 · Speculum humanae salvationis [German] Spiegel menschlicher behaltnuss
Hand-colored woodcut of a Bryonia (white bryony) plant
1484 · Latin Herbal
Hand-colored woodcut of a coriander plant
1484 · Latin Herbal
Hand-colored woodcut of a Mandragora (mandrake) plant
1484 · Latin Herbal
Hand-colored woodcut of a Scabiosa plant showing leaves, flowers, and root structure.
1484 · Latin Herbal
Hand-colored woodcut of a Ribes (currant) plant showing leaves, berries, and roots.
1485 · Herbarius
Hand-colored woodcut of a turnip plant (Rapa)
1485 · Herbarius
Hand-colored woodcut of a Nigella plant with pink flowers and green leaves
1485 · Herbarius
Hand-colored woodcut of a Malva (Mallow) plant
1485 · Herbarius
Hand-colored woodcut of a horseradish plant showing leaves and root structure.
1486 · Latin Herbal with German Synonyms
Hand-colored woodcut of a Millefolium (Yarrow) plant
1486 · Latin Herbal with German Synonyms
Hand-colored woodcut of a thistle-like plant with spiny leaves and yellow flowers.
1486 · Latin Herbal with German Synonyms
Hand-colored woodcut of an Apium plant (celery or wild parsley) showing its root, serrated green leaves, and white umbel flower clusters.
1486 · Latin Herbal with German Synonyms
Woodcut of an ostrich and a group of smaller birds in a landscape
1490 · Mirror of Wisdom
Woodcut illustration of an ostrich and a hen in a landscape with a tree and hills.
1490 · Mirror of Wisdom
Woodcut illustration of a fox, a frog, and a bird in a landscape
1490 · Mirror of Wisdom
The fifth sign: birds gathering in a landscape.
1492 · Mirror of Human Salvation
Woodcut depicting Adam naming the animals, seated and gesturing towards a group of beasts including a lion, horse, and sheep.
1493 · Etymologies
Woodcut illustration depicting a scholar, possibly Aristotle, seated at a desk in a study with animals nearby.
1498 · On Animals
A woodcut depicting three roosters in a landscape with a town in the background.
1499 · Prognosticatio
Renaissance woodcut emblem featuring two birds facing a central vessel within an inscribed frame.
1499 · Hypnerotomachia Poliphili
A cypress tree in a compact form growing from a classical altar decorated with bucrania.
1499 · Hypnerotomachia Poliphili
An ornate, tiered vessel or fountain base supporting a small flowering tree.
1499 · Poliphilo's Strife of Love in a Dream
Ornate vessel with a flowering tree growing from its top.
1499 · Hypnerotomachia Poliphili : ubi humana omnia non nisi somnium esse docet atque obiter plurima scitu sane quam digna commemorat
Miniature painting of two jackals in a flowered landscape
1500 · ʻAjāʼib al-makhlūqāt (MS Nn.3.74)
A woodcut illustration depicting a man sleeping at the foot of a tree while another man sits within its branches, surrounded by animals in a landscape.
1500 · Problems
Woodcut illustration depicting various birds and a bat.
1504 · Margarita philosophica
Woodcut depicting aquatic life including fish and crustaceans in a landscape with a castle and town.
1504 · Margarita philosophica
Woodcut of a salamander with stars on its back and flames near its head.
1504 · Margarita philosophica
Woodcut of a poppy plant (Papaver) showing its leaves, flowers, and seed capsule.
1507 · Garden of Health
A woodcut depicting a large bird of prey attacking a smaller bird on the ground, set between two stylized trees.
1509 · The Dialogue of Creatures
A woodcut illustration depicting a scorpion, a dragon, a two-headed serpent, and a stylized plant on a rocky mound.
1509 · The Dialogue of Creatures
A woodcut illustration of a hare standing next to a large, spiky plant, possibly southernwood (abrotanum).
1509 · The Dialogue of Creatures
Botanical illustration of a plant with yellow flowers and green leaves
1523 · De materia medica (Greek manuscript Grec 2179)
Botanical illustration of a medicinal plant with serrated leaves and red-tipped spikes.
1523 · De materia medica (Greek manuscript Grec 2179)
Botanical illustration of a medicinal plant with a prominent root system and three branching stems bearing green leaves.
1523 · De materia medica (Greek manuscript Grec 2179)
Woodcut depicting the seventh sign of the apocalypse with stars in the sky and animals gathered below.
1530 · Le livre intitule lart de bien vivre; et de bien mourir
A woodcut emblem depicting a tree with a heavy stone or weight resting in its branches, accompanied by the motto 'PALMA ISING'.
1542 · Notable Commentaries on the History of Plants
Full-page botanical woodcut of Zea mays (maize), labeled 'TVRCICVM FRVMENTVM' and 'Türckisch korn'.
1542 · Notable Commentaries on the History of Plants
Three bats hanging upside down from a branch
1544 · Romance of Alexander (Armenian MS 3)
Botanical woodcut of Cannabis sativa
1549 · Notable Commentaries on the History of Plants