The Wisdom of Nature

by Werner Telesko

"The medieval view of the natural world can best be understood within its religious context. According to medieval thought, nature was a book in which God revealed himself and his message to the world. Plants and animals in particular were frequently given symbolic meanings or valued for their healing properties." "Illustrated with works taken from three world-famous medieval manuscripts, The Wisdom of Nature focuses on thirty-five exquisitely executed sheets which depict a wide range of subjects. These include herbs and plants, animals and birds, nature and the seasons, meat and water, activities to stimulate the body or brain such as riding or conversing, and religious topics such as the Creation. In double-page spreads, this volume explains the origin of each manuscript illustration, looks into its symbolic meanings, listing the healing powers ascribed to it in the medieval world as well as medical properties still valued by modern science. An introductory essay delves into the esse