Illustrations from

An Arabic Translation of the Materia Medica of Dioscorides
by ‛Abdullah ibn al-Fadl, dated A.H. 621/ A.D. 1224
Abbasid Iraq, possibly Baghdad

Man Bitten by Mad Dog


A larger image of the swordsman

Source: "Medieval Islamic Pharmacy, Development of a science and a profession" by David W. Tschanz, USA. pp616-621 in ASPETAR Sports Medicine Journal


Preparing Medicine from Honey


The "Baghdad School" of illustration employed bold colors and symmetrical compositions, depicting the details of urban life and figures in contemporary local dress. This folio depicts a pharmacist preparing a honey-based medicine in a caldron, while an assistant upstairs distributes it into jars. Source: Metmuseum

Men Treading Grapes


Illustrations in early Islamic manuscripts produced by the Baghdad School were greatly influenced by Greek and Byzantine prototypes; the text often included the translation of Greek scientific manuscripts, such as De Materia Medica, accompanied by detailed genre scenes. On this folio, the medicinal properties of sour wine are described with an illustration showing two men treading grapes. Source: Metmuseum

Purple betony


A larger image of Purple Betony in the Arabic Translation of the Materia Medica of Dioscorides
Source: Harvard University Art Museums

Physician and Attendant Preparing a Cataplasm


Physician and Attendant Preparing a Cataplasm. Source: StudyBlue

Physician Preparing an Elixir


A larger image of Physician Preparing an Elixir in the Arabic Translation of the Materia Medica of Dioscorides
Figural book painting started in the Islamic world as an art form in the late Abbasid Iraq of the 13th century. The translation of a Greek manuscript shows a Physician preparing an elixir. Source: Metmuseum


Illustrations of Arabian Costume & Soldiers
Other 13th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers
Index of Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers