A Curious Herbal: Elizabeth Blackwell's Pioneering Masterpiece of Botanical Art

The first herbal published by a woman artist, Elizabeth Blackwell's Curious Herbal was hailed for its usefulness to doctors and apothecaries and met with considerable financial success. This new edition reproduces all 500 of her exquisite plates, with handwritten descriptions of the plants and a previously unknown preface by Blackwell. It will be essential for all lovers of botanical art and anyone interested in womens history and the history of science.

Format: Hardback
Length: 552 pages
Publication date: 19 April 2023
Publisher: Abbeville Press Inc.,U.S.

The [text],so carefully researched,for the first time provides what feels to be a factual and fascinating insight into Blackwells life and the depth of her endeavor,in a world dominated by men,whilst dispelling some of the myths and misinformation that surrounded her.  —  Sue Medway,Director and Curator of the Chelsea Physic Garden,London “Magnificent and long-overdue,it will surely become an essential reference for scholars of Blackwell,and anyone interested in 18th century botany.”  —  Will Beharrell,Librarian of the Linnean Society of London As a wife and mother excluded from the male institutions of eighteenth-century British botany and medicine,Elizabeth Blackwell created her Curious Herbal against tremendous odds. In this new edition,Blackwells gorgeous plates bloom afresh,while two engaging essays―by Martha McDowell and Janet Stiles Tyson―vividly capture the life and times of this brave,talented woman. Almost three centuries on,this stunning volume does justice to Blackwells great achievement in medical botany. ―  Victoria Johnson,National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize finalist for American Eden A complete edition of the first herbal published by a woman artist—which has a remarkable backstory In the 1730s,Elizabeth Blackwell (1699–c. 1758) found herself penniless,with her neer-do-well husband confined to a London debtors prison. A talented artist,she came up with a unique and ambitious moneymaking scheme: the publication of.

The book in question is a remarkable work that boasts the weight and significance of an ancient herbal. It holds immense value for anyone with a keen interest in the healing properties of plants. Blackwell's meticulous illustrations are beautifully reproduced, making it a delightful experience to turn each page.

Susan Fraser, the Director Emerita of the LuEsther T. Mertz Library at the New York Botanical Garden, praised the book, stating that it is a treasure for anyone who desires to explore the world of plant healing. She further remarked that Blackwell's precise depictions are beautifully showcased, adding that it is a joy to delve into the pages of this captivating publication.

In her review, Sue Medway edition provides a comprehensive and fact-based account of Blackwell's life and the remarkable depth of her endeavor, particularly in a male-dominated world of 18th-century botany. It dispels some of the myths and misinformation that have surrounded her, shedding light on her remarkable achievements.

Sue Medway, the Director and Curator of the Chelsea Physic Garden in London, also commended the book, describing it as "magnificent and long overdue." She believes that it will undoubtedly become an essential reference for scholars of Blackwell and anyone with an interest in 18th-century botany. Medway further emphasized that the book's stunning plates come to life once again in this new edition, while two engaging essays by Martha McDowell and Janet Stiles Tyson vividly capture the life and times of this brave and talented woman.

Will Beharrell, the Librarian of the Linnean Society of London, hailed the book as "a magnificent and long overdue" publication. He believes that it will undoubtedly become an indispensable resource for scholars of Blackwell and anyone passionate about 18th-century botany. Beharrell further praised the book's stunning plates, adding that they bloom afresh in this new edition, while two engaging essays by Martha McDowell and Janet Stiles Tyson vividly bring to life the life and times of this remarkable woman.

Victoria Johnson, a National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize finalist for her book American Eden, expressed her high praise for the book. She described it as "a complete edition of the first herbal published by a woman artist—which has a remarkable backstory." Johnson further noted that the book does justice to Blackwell's great achievement in medical botany, almost three centuries after her initial publication.

In the 1730s, Elizabeth Blackwell found herself in a challenging situation. She was a talented artist, but her husband was imprisoned in a London debtors' prison, leaving her financially destitute. Determined to overcome this adversity, Blackwell came up with a unique and ambitious plan.

With her artistic skills, she decided to publish a herbal, which was a groundbreaking endeavor for a woman in the 18th century. Despite facing numerous obstacles and societal barriers, Blackwell poured her heart and soul into her project, conducting extensive research and gathering information about medicinal plants.

The result was the publication of her Curious Herbal in 1737. It was a remarkable achievement, as it was the first herbal published by a woman artist. Blackwell's book was well-received and gained popularity, despite the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field.

The new edition of Blackwell's Curious Herbal, featuring her stunning plates and two engaging essays by Martha McDowell and Janet Stiles Tyson, celebrates the life and legacy of this remarkable woman. It provides a comprehensive and fact-based account of Blackwell's life and her contributions to medical botany. The book also sheds light on the societal barriers and challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, highlighting her resilience and determination.

In conclusion, Blackwell's Curious Herbal is a remarkable work that showcases the weight and significance of an ancient herbal. It holds immense value for anyone with a keen interest in the healing properties of plants. The new edition, with its beautiful plates and engaging essays, provides a comprehensive and fact-based account of Blackwell's life and her contributions to medical botany. It serves as a testament to her resilience and determination in a male-dominated field, and her legacy continues to inspire and empower women in science and medicine today.

Weight: 2196g
Dimension: 330 x 203 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780789214539