Lewis David von Schweinitz drawings of fungi.

cover image
  • Schweinitz, Lewis David von, 1780-1834, artist
  • 1805-1816.
  • Image
  • Art, Print, Online

    • Where to find it

    Rare Book Collection (Wilson Library) — Folio

    Call Number
    QK608.G4 S39 v.4
    Status
    In-Library Use Only
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    Summary

    Scope and content: Collection of Volumes 1, 2, 3, and 5 of Fungorum Nieskiesium Icones by Lewis David von Schweinitz. These 4 unpublished volumes consist of 368 plates containing 940 watercolors of fungi, expertly and artistically rendered in watercolor by Schweinitz, and after nearly 200 years still retain their vivid color and beauty. Agaricus is the genus that is most well represented. Seventy-one illustrations are those that were originally described by Schweinitz and his mentor Johannes Baptista von Albertini in their published work Conspectus Fungorum in Lusatiae superioris agro Niskiensi crescentium e methodo Persooniana (1805). Also included in the collection is a portfolio containing 81 loose plates. Only 18 of the loose plates portray fungi, but C. Earle Smith, Jr., has identified those as referring to fungi of Salem, N.C. The remaining 62 plates deal with vascular plants.

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    Other details

    Description:
    4 volumes (940 watercolors) ; 38 x 24 cm
    1 portfolio (78 watercolors, 3 pencil drawings) ; 24 x 20 cm -- 54 x 43 cm
    Published:
    1805-1816.
    Language:
    Latin
    Related Items:
    Fungorum Nieskiesium Icones volume 4 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
    Cited In:
    Hewitt, David. Lewis David von Schweinitz's Mycological Illustrations, Bartonia 61 (2002): 48-53
    Lynch, Dana M. Paintings of Fungi by Lewis David von Schweinitz in the Archives of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Bartonia 59 (1996): 125-128
    Biographical Sketch of Creators:
    Lewis David von Schweinitz was the first American to focus his botanical efforts on fungi. Born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on February 13, 1780, Schweinitz moved with his family to Germany in 1798, and entered the Moravian Theological Seminary at Niesky in Silesia. There he met Professor Albertini, who was also interested in botany. Together Schweinitz and Albertini collected and studied fungi throughout the Niesky region and in 1805 published the Conspectus Fungorum in Lusatiae superioris agro Niskiensi crescentium e methodo Persooniana, which contained descriptions of 1130 fungi species including 93 newly described species. It was during this same time period, probably in conjunction with the development of Conspectus, that Schweinitz painted Fungorum Nieskiesium Icones.
    Binding Details:
    Volume 4, Half binding:: Brown marbled paper boards backed by brown calf.
    Notes:
    Individual watercolors measure from 2 x 2 cm. to 29 x 18 cm. Volume 1 differs from vol. 2, 3 and 5, as watercolors are on 32 x 20 cm. sheets glued to pages in the volume. Schweinitz gave each page a number, as well as each image.
    The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has volume 4 of Fungorum Niskiensium Icones: 5 unnumbered leaves, 274-297, 1 unnumbered leaf, 298, 1 unnumbered leaf, 299-301, 301, 1 unnumbered leaf, 302-305, 2 unnumbered leaves, 306, 1 unnumbered leaf, 307-308, 1 unnumbered leaf, 309, 2 unnumbered leaves, 310, 1 unnumbered leaf, 311, 1 unnumbered leaf, 312-315, 1 unnumbered leaf, 316, 1 unnumbered leaf, 317, 1 unnumbered leaf, 318-319, 1 unnumbered leaf, 320, 321a, 321, 1 unnumbered leaf, 322-325, 1 unnumbered leaf, 326, 1 unnumbered leaf, 327, 1 unnumbered leaf, 328-330, 1 unnumbered leaf, 331, 1 unnumbered leaf, 332, 333a, 333, 1 unnumbered leaf, 334-338, 1 unnumbered leaf, 339-345, 1 unnumbered leaf, 346-347, 1 unnumbered leaf, 348, 1 unnumbered leaf, 349, Index A. Fungorum, Index B. Tabularum. Half binding: brown marbled paper boards backed by brown calf.
    Eugene A. Rau stated that he had seen seven volumes of Icones. If this is true, the whereabouts of volumes 6 and 7 are unknown.
    Local Notes:
    Source of acquisition: Volumes 2, 3, 5 and portfolio presented by George E. de Schweinitz, July 24, 1903.
    Preferred Citation:
    Collection 437. Lewis David von Schweinitz Drawings. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
    OCLC Number:
    51464688

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