Annona reticulata
1911
Capturing the bumpy, heart-shaped form of a custard apple, Ellen Isham Schutt painted this vibrant watercolor with meticulous detail in 1907. Schutt was one of the premier botanical illustrators for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, tasked with documenting the diverse fruits being introduced to American agriculture. The handwritten notes at the bottom reveal it was sketched at the Sub-Tropical Laboratory in Miami, Florida, preserving a specific specimen sent by P.J. Wester. These illustrations weren't just pretty pictures; they were vital scientific records that helped farmers identify and cultivate new crops across the country.
- Technique
- Watercolor
- Material
- Paper