Herbariums in history, agriculture and medicine
Villa Chiozza, Cervignano del Friuli, Udine
22 May - 20 August 2006
THE EXHIBITION
Set inside a magnificent park covering 28 hectares, Villa Chiozza di Scodovacca in Cervignano del Friuli is the setting for the exhibition "Masterpieces of Knowledge and Art. Herbariums in history, agriculture and medicine". The event is the result of the cultural partnership between Aboca Museum (the Herb Museum of the Aboca herbal company), the management of agricultural, natural, forest and mountain resources of the Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia, the regional agency for rural development, the University of Udine, and the Universitatsbiblioteck (Library of the University of Eichstatt-Ingolstad, Germany). The purpose of the exhibition is to highlight issues related to the functional and educational evolution of botanical communication between the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment, a period during which an innumerable quantity of written and drawn descriptions of the plant world was printed.
In the wake of large geographical voyages of exploration, and at the instigation of cultured patrons wishing to receive novel and rare plants, there was a boom in florilegia of the world of herbs – the boast of libraries – and of medical-naturalistic gardens – ornaments in towns and cities. Botany was at first studied for the medical benefits it offered, but later aesthetic and naturalistic factors gained in importance: the outlook of the fifteenth century, which was primarily descriptive rather than aesthetic and exclusively based on health-related concerns, gave way to appreciation of plants for their physical beauty and the splendour of the flowers.
During the period in question, a botanical renaissance proper, a large number of illustrated herbariums was published. Botanists of all nationalities attempted to provide pictures as close to reality as possible, making use of professional artists for the drawing, engraving and water-colouring of the plates.
The exhibition displays rare works of this nature, including the outstanding Hortus Eystetterensis by Basilius Besler, and attempts to illustrate the evolution in naturalistic and scientific knowledge, which was a fundamental step on the path to the development of modern science. By focusing too on artistic aspects, it is also an opportunity for comparison between cultures of different epochs and countries. The unusual and rare nature of the objects on display, which include incunabula, ancient botanic documents, and botanical collections, ensures that this is an exhibition suited to the public at large as well as specialists.
With its display of herbariums from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries, the exhibition has particular reference to the therapeutic uses of plants, as well as considering bibliology, philology, iconology, taxonomy and other subjects. It attempts to offer a cross-section that covers the ground between medieval knowledge and modern science, Classical culture and experimental science, archaic representation and renaissance art. In a tearoom next to the bookshop, on the way out of the exhibition, visitors will be able to taste Aboca herbal teas.
RELATED CULTURAL EVENTS. The exhibition will also act as a backdrop to a series of meetings and conferences. Some of these are addressed to doctors, pharmacists and herborists and deal with specific themes on the subject of phytotherapy. Others, aimed at cultural associations, will discuss popular traditions in the collection and use of medicinal plants. And the University of Udine will organise five public conferences on themes of general interest linked to botany.
RELATED CULTURAL EVENTS. The exhibition will also act as a backdrop to a series of meetings and conferences. Some of these are addressed to doctors, pharmacists and herborists and deal with specific themes on the subject of phytotherapy. Others, aimed at cultural associations, will discuss popular traditions in the collection and use of medicinal plants. And the University of Udine will organise five public conferences on themes of general interest linked to botany.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE EXHIBITION
