At the top, a scene of "The Gardens of Adonis" original Greek: Ἀδώνιδος κῆποι; a reference to short-lived but lush symbolic gardens featuring the goddess VENUS seated amidst lush greenery. To the right, figures are labeled Chromis, Silenus original Greek: σιληνος; the tutor of Dionysus, and Mnasilus.

On the left side of the frame stands a physician holding a plant, labeled Dioscorides original Greek: Διοσκο.; the famous 1st-century Greek physician and pharmacologist. Beneath him is a Greek inscription: "A man who is a physician is worth many others. There is nothing in life that comes before health." original: ἰατρὸς ἀνὴρ, πολλῶν / ἀντάξιος ἄλλων. / οὐκ ἔσθ' ὑγίας πρῶτον / οὐδὲν ἐν βίῳ.

On the right side stands the god Apollo original Greek: ἀπόλλων with his bow. Below him is a Latin inscription: "Medicine is my invention; I am called the bringer of help throughout the world, and the power of herbs is subject to us." original: Inuentũ Medicina meũ / est, opiferqꝫ p orbem / Dicor & Herbarũ sub- / iecta potentia nobis.

At the bottom is the "Garden of the Hesperides" original Greek: κῆποι ἑσπερίδων; the mythical garden of Hera where golden apples grew featuring the figures Hypertusa, Erethusa, and Aegle. To the right, Hercules original Greek: ἡρακλῆς is shown slaying the multi-headed serpent, the Dragon original Greek: δράκων; Latin: draco.

LIVING

PORTRAITS

O F P L A N T S original Latin: Herbarum Vivae Eicones

fashioned after the imitation of nature, with the utmost diligence and artistry, together with the P O W E R S

and E F F E C T S of the same, for the sake of that ancient and now-rebirthing Herbal Medicine refers to the Renaissance "rebirth" of classical Greek medical knowledge,

B Y O T T O B R V N F E L S.

Recently published, 1530.