THE OIL BEETLE The beetle at the bottom of the painting is an oil beetle. The secretion it secretes to protect itself from its predators was used in early modern pharmacies as both an aphrodisiac and as a treatment for rabies. The beetle indicates Büttner’s earlier occupation as a pharmacist. Its position in the painting, […]
THE SCALES Büttner considered his collection a foundation for his scientific work. He wanted to set himself apart from traditional chambers of art and curiosities, which primarily served the purpose of representation at European princely courts. The scales, and also the other instruments in the picture such as the ruler, filter and compass serve to
The plum placed on the desk is an allusion to Büttner’s publishing activities, which he continued into his later years. The attached note bears the inscription: 65 anorum arboris, “in the sixty-fifth year of the tree”. From 1771, when Büttner himself was 65 years old, his two-volume work: “Vergleichungstafeln der Schriftarten verschiedener Völker in den
