A medieval woodcut illustration of a mandrake root personified as a small humanoid figure with legs, arms, and a human face, surrounded by green leaves. Columns of dense, Gothic script in German flank the central figure.
plant
human figure
text
illustration
woodcut
mandrake
woodcut
medieval
illustration
folklore
botanical
herbal
plant
humanoid
gothic script
german text

This is a detailed woodcut illustration from a medieval text, likely a herbal or a book on folklore. The central image depicts a mandrake root, personified as a small, humanoid figure. The mandrake root itself is depicted as a pale, fleshy form with legs and arms. It has a vaguely human face with a pointed nose and a somewhat distressed expression. The root is topped with a cluster of green leaves, which are intricately detailed with veins. The leaves curl and twist around the figure, creating a dynamic and somewhat unsettling composition. To the left and right of the central figure are columns of dense, Gothic script in German. These are likely explanatory texts about the mandrake, its properties, and its folklore. The text is tightly packed and features elaborate calligraphy. The overall style of the illustration is characteristic of medieval woodcuts. It features strong lines, a limited range of tones, and a focus on detail. The image is somewhat crude by modern standards, but it is nonetheless a fascinating and evocative depiction of a plant that was steeped in myth and legend.


License: CC0
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