JOHN WEINMANN

John Weinmann was a German apothecary who published a major work on the plant kingdom between 1736 and 1748. He commissioned the celebrated German artist and platemaker, G.D. Ehret, to illustrate his book.
Weinmann was said to have hired Ehret at a very low wage (it was early in Ehret's career and he was yet to become the renowned artist we remember), and then failed to pay him in full for the 500 exquisite illustrations he produced. However, it was excellent training and Ehret went on elsewhere and established himself as one of the most talented botanical artists that ever lived.