University of Padua, Large vellum document issued to Joannes Rienschovius, dated 1636, with 3 seals

UNIVERSITY OF PADUA

Large vellum document conferring the title of Doctor of Philosophy and Medicine on Joannes Rienschovius, of s' Hertogenbosch, dated Padua, 21 February 1636

single sheet (approx. 580 x 795mm.), written in an italic hand in brown ink with initials and important words in gold, decorative floral border and initial, issued on behalf of Benedetto Selvatico and signed by Selvatico, Joannes Vesling, Alpino Alpini, Nicolaus Bentzonius, Guido Antonio Albanese and Giovanni Battista Soncino, with 3 red wax seals attached in gilt-tooled leather-covered oval metal cases, occasional light soiling, leather pouches slightly rubbed

At this time, the University of Padua was the leading medical school of Europe. The German Nation at the University was responsible for the numerous students who came to study from beyond the Alps.

Of the signatories, Benedetto Selvatico (1574-1658) and Guido Antonio Albanese (died 1657) were professors of medicine at the University of Padua from 1632. Alpino Alpini was in charge of the botanical garden in Padua from 1633, in which he was succeeded by Joannes Vesling in 1635. The three seals, in gilt-tooled cartouches, one of which is still sealed, contain the wax seals of the University of Padua of and the German Nation at the University.