193 François Valentijn – Botanical Specimens of Southeast Asian Plants, Plate – Copperplate

This botanical engraving originates from Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën, the monumental natural history and ethnographic work by Dutch scholar François Valentijn. The plate is composed of sixteen labeled plant studies (Nos. XCIII to CVIII), each representing characteristic specimens from the flora of the Dutch East Indies. These precise and methodical illustrations served both a scientific and didactic function, aiding early European understanding of Southeast Asian botany. The engravings emphasize vegetative forms and subterranean structures, including rhizomes and tubers, reflecting the colonial interest in economically or medicinally valuable plants. The visual clarity of the copperplate engraving technique allowed for fine linework and botanical accuracy, making this plate a valuable resource for contemporary researchers and collectors.