Besler - Hortus Eystettensis

Hortus Eystettensis was a compendium of botanical studies drawn from life in the garden of Bishop, Johann Konrad von Gemmingen, by Basilius Besler in the 17th century. Located in Bavaria, the garden was considered world-class and Besler had a plentitude of species to study. 

The work was published in 1613 and broke the mold for botanical drawings. It depicted each plant nearly to scale and with incredible detail and concern for composition. It is still considered one of the finest botanical studies ever completed.