From the medieval herbarium to the personal herbarium

After a historical introduction at the Museo Civico di Casa Cavassa, participants will be able to take part in the workshop organized on the occasion of the Medieval and Ancient Book Fair and in collaboration with Il Giardino delle Essenze of the Lagnasco Castles.

The workshop takes inspiration from the pages of ancient herbariums, where plants were observed, represented, and described to transmit their recognition, characteristics, virtues, and uses.

Starting from the live observation of a plant and the comparison with some pages of medieval herbariums, we will learn to dwell on the shapes, details, and characteristics that make it recognizable.

But observing also means choosing: what do we want to tell about a plant?

Each participant will then create their own herbarium page, transforming what they have observed into an image through drawing and painting.

It is not about faithfully reproducing a medieval manuscript, but about letting oneself be inspired by an ancient tradition to experiment with a personal way of looking at, knowing, and representing the plant world.

No specific preparation in drawing or painting is required: the workshop is designed to accompany participants from the observation of the plant to its representation.

Each participant will create their own herbarium page, which they can take with them at the end of the workshop.