Art prints of paintings
Anselmus Botius de Boodt
Explore our collection of art prints of paintings by Anselmus Botius de Boodt, a Flemish scholar and draftsman of the Renaissance. Combining scientific precision with understated elegance, these naturalist works bring an erudite and timeless decoration to your interior.
This collection brings together reproductions of natural-history illustrations associated with Anselmus Boëtius de Boodt (1550–1632). A physician at the court of Emperor Rudolf II, he contributed to the creation of the Historia Naturalis, a work devoted to plants, animals and other curiosities of the natural world.
Rudolf II’s Historia Naturalis
Held by the Rijksmuseum, the Historia Naturalis comprises twelve imperial albums and approximately 750 watercolours, executed in Prague between 1596 and 1610. The volumes bring together flowers, trees, fungi, birds, mammals, fish, insects, reptiles and marine creatures. The historical annotations use Dutch, Latin and French, among other languages.
Rijksmuseum records associate the conception of this collection with de Boodt and also mention collaborators such as Elias Verhulst, depending on the sheets and albums. It is therefore more accurate to present these images as works connected with the Historia Naturalis and its workshop, rather than claiming that each was painted solely by de Boodt.
Flowers, Fruits and Plants Observed around 1600
A large part of the catalogue is devoted to botany. The subjects range from familiar species to flowers then sought after in European gardens. The oval-flowered sunflower displays an immediately recognisable silhouette. The plate featuring a carrot and redcurrant places two specimens on the same sheet, while the lady’s slipper highlights the orchid’s distinctive form.
The names appearing in the titles often retain historical, Latin or vernacular designations visible in the sources. They reflect how specimens were described around 1600 and should not be read as a systematically updated modern botanical nomenclature.
Birds and Mammals
The albums also give considerable space to land animals and birds. Beaver and Beaver presents two studies of the same animal. Two Birds offers a more restrained composition, while the plate of the blue tit and great tit allows two species to be compared in a single image.
These sheets sit at the intersection of observation, inventory and artistic representation. Some forms or proportions reflect the knowledge, available specimens and visual conventions of their time.
Marine Animals and Natural Curiosities
The collection is not limited to flora and familiar animals. It also includes fish, shells, insects and marine creatures. The starfish isolates the specimen on the sheet; the cuttlefish or sepia retains several historical names in its title.
This mixture of categories makes the Historia Naturalis a kind of cabinet of curiosities on paper. Today, it can be used to create a natural-history wall centred on one family of subjects or, conversely, to bring together botany, birds and the marine world.
Choosing and Pairing a Natural-History Illustration
A vertical plate suits a narrow space, bookcase or desk. Several sheets in the same dimensions can form a regular series in a kitchen, entrance hall or workspace. For a cohesive display, group images by subject — flowers, birds, mammals or marine animals — or by palette.
For the poster option, the print is offered on 140 g paper with HD rendering at 150 DPI, preserving crisp details and colours that remain legible up close and from a distance. Dimensions, canvas and framing options vary according to the artwork, format and intended setting. The product page displays only the variants actually available.
Explore Other Natural-History Collections
Continue exploring with botanical posters, flower posters, bird posters and fish posters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Anselmus Boëtius de Boodt?
Anselmus Boëtius de Boodt was a Flemish physician and naturalist, born in 1550 and deceased in 1632. He worked at the court of Emperor Rudolf II in Prague and contributed to the creation of the Historia Naturalis.
What subjects are featured in this collection?
The collection brings together flowers, plants, fruits, birds, mammals, fish, insects and marine animals drawn from or inspired by the natural-history albums associated with de Boodt.
How can I find out which formats are available?
Open the illustration’s product page, then select the medium and dimensions. The available options vary according to the artwork and intended setting.