Cicuta Collection

Poison plants lithograph 1895
Meyers Konversations-Lexikon. Ein Nachschlagewerk des allgemeinen Wissens, 5th edition 17 volumes Bibliographisches Institut - Leipzig 1895-1897

Poisonous Plants
Water Hemlock (Cicuta Virosa); Conium Maculatum; Digitalis Purpurea; Cypress Spurge (Euphorbia Cyparissias); Pasque Flower (Anemone Pulsatilla); Autumn Crocus

Fools parsley, hemlock and northern water hemlock
Fools parsley, Aethusa cynapium 1, hemlock, Conium maculatum 2, and northern water hemlock, Cicuta virosa 3. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Friedrich Johann Bertuchs Bilderbuch fur Kinder

Cowbane or northern water hemlock, Cicuta virosa
5856010 Cowbane or northern water hemlock, Cicuta virosa; (add.info.: Cowbane or northern water hemlock, Cicuta virosa. Chromolithograph from Carl Lindman's "Bilder ur Nordens Flora")

Hemlock, Conium maculatum
5855171 Hemlock, Conium maculatum; (add.info.: Hemlock, Conium maculatum. Handcoloured copperplate stipple engraving from Jussieu's "Dictionary of Natural Science, " Florence, Italy)

Cowbane, Cicuta virosa
5855083 Cowbane, Cicuta virosa; (add.info.: Cowbane, Cicuta virosa. Handcoloured botanical illustration drawn and engraved on steel by Weddell from John Stephenson)

Socrates (c 469399 BC). Classical Greek Athenian philosophe
Socrates (c.469-399 BC). Classical Greek Athenian philosopher. Socrates in prison before being sentenced to death. Colored engraving

White flowered water hemlock, Cicuta virosa
5856633 White flowered water hemlock, Cicuta virosa by Sowerby, James (1757-1822); (add.info.: White flowered water hemlock, Cicuta virosa)

Socrates drinks the cup of hemlock, 1787-90 (plaster)
6343154 Socrates drinks the cup of hemlock, 1787-90 (plaster) by Canova, Antonio (1757-1822); Fondazione Cariplo, Milan, Lombardy, Italy; (add.info.: Socrate beve la cicuta, 1787-90)

Cowbane or water hemlock, Cicuta virosa. Handcoloured lithograph by Henry Sowerby from Edward Hamiltons Flora Homeopathica, Bailliere, London, 1852

Water hemlock, Cicuta virosa. Handcoloured copperplate engraving after an illustration by Richard Duppa from his The Classes and Orders of the Linnaean System of Botany, Longman, Hurst, London, 1816

Cowbane or northern water hemlock, Cicuta virosa. Handcoloured lithograph by Hanhart after a botanical illustration by David Blair from Robert Bentley and Henry Trimens Medicinal Plants, London, 1880

Socrate prenant conge de ses amis, pub. by Engelmann, c. 1835 (hand coloured engraving))
3025956 Socrate prenant congede ses amis, pub. by Engelmann, c.1835 (hand coloured engraving)) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Socrates (c. 469-399 BC). Classical Greek Athenian philosopher. Socrates in prison before being sentenced to death. Colored engraving

Hemlock - Conium maculatum (Cicuta) by Leonhart Fuchs from De historia stirpium commentarii insignes
Herbal, 16th century. Leonhart Fuchs (1501-1566), De historia stirpium commentarii insignes (Notable Commentaries on the History of Plants), 1542. Plate: Hemlock - Conium maculatum (Cicuta)

Pheucticus ludovicianus, rose-breasted grosbeak
Plate 127 from John James Audubons Birds of America, original double elephant folio (1831-34), hand-coloured aquatint. Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell (& Son), London

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"Cicuta: The Deadly Beauty of Poisonous Plants" Step into the world of poisonous plants with this captivating lithograph from 1895, showcasing the infamous "cicuta. " Known for its toxic properties, cicuta belongs to a group of deadly plants that have fascinated botanists and philosophers throughout history. Among these lethal species are fools parsley, hemlock, and northern water hemlock. These plants have claimed lives and left their mark on ancient civilizations. Socrates, the renowned Classical Greek Athenian philosopher, met his tragic fate by drinking a cup of hemlock in 399 BC. A plaster sculpture depicting this moment serves as a haunting reminder of the power held within these innocent-looking white flowers. Cicuta virosa, commonly known as white flowered water hemlock or cowbane, is another member of this treacherous family. Its presence has been recorded in various historical texts and illustrations like Leonhart Fuchs' De historia stirpium. The hand-colored engravings from c. 1835 showcase Socrates bidding farewell to his friends before consuming congealed poison – an image that resonates with both beauty and sorrow. Water hemlock's scientific name is Cicuta virosa – a plant notorious for its potency. It shares similarities with northern water hemlock (also known as cowbane), further emphasizing the danger lurking within these seemingly harmless flora. As we explore the legacy through art and literature, we gain insight into humanity's fascination with nature's dark side. From ancient times to modern-day studies on toxicology, our understanding continues to evolve alongside our respect for these potent botanical wonders. So let us delve into the intricate world where beauty meets danger – where cicutas silently thrive amidst cautionary tales passed down through generations. May we learn from history while appreciating the delicate balance between life-giving sustenance and nature's hidden poisons embodied by cicutas like no other.