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DURANTE Castore - Italy - 1529 - 1590

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Castore Durante was born in Gualdo Tadino and completed his studies in Rome at the Archiginnasio della Sapienza. He lived at the papal court of Sixtus V, enjoying great popularity as a result of his activities as physician, botanist and poet. Botanical Interests: His important Herbario novo, published for the first time in 1585, deals with medicinal plants from Europe and the East and West Indies. Each description of “name, form, place, quality, virtue” in Italian and Latin is preceded by a small wood engraving by the celebrated engraver Isabella Parasole. This artist of great imagination, besides sometimes creating a landscaped environment at the foot of the plant illustrations, knew how to interpret Durante’s descriptions with originality. Such is the case with the “arbor tristis,” given a human form. Many editions of this herbal would follow, including one in German. ORIGINAL WORKS AVAILABLE ONLINE IN THE ABOCA LIBRARY Herbario Nvovo di Castore Durante medico, & cittadin […]

Main work: Herbario novo: appresso il Sella, Venezia, 1602. Il tesoro della Sanità: appresso Paulo Ugolino, Venezia, 1593.

Botanical interests: His important Herbario Novo, published for the first time in 1585, deals with medicinal plants from Europe and the East and West Indies. Each description of "name, form, place, quality, virtue" in Italian andLatin is preceded by a small wood engraving by the celebrated engraver Isabella Parasole. This artist of great imagination, besides sometimes creating a landscaped environment at the foot of the plant illustrations, knew how to interpret Durante’s descriptions with originality. Such is the case with the "arbor tristis", given a human form. Many editions of this herbal would follow, including one in German.

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