Johann Remmelin and Lucas Killian (illustrated by)

Catoptrum microcosmicum

Augsburg: David Franck, 1619

This is an extraordinarily detailed anatomical pop-up print of the bearer of mankind, Eve, with her attribute of the serpent brandishing an apple tree branch beneath.

Eve has a removable womb which can wander around her body at the user’s pleasure. Eve’s modesty is shrouded by the smoke from a fiery phoenix. The phoenix’s pyre was thought to be made out of aromatic spices, which would give off fragrance as the phoenix burned.

The perfumed smoke fumigates Eve’s womb, increasing her fertility. Just like the phoenix, she will be able to regenerate, through bearing children.

CCF.46.33 (p. 21)