Citrus limon
1911
Ellen Isham Schutt didn't just paint pretty fruit; she documented agricultural disasters for the USDA. This detailed study from around 1910 shows a lemon suffering from 'Bitter Rot,' a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum, evident in the brown, sunken spots on the yellow skin. Schutt created thousands of these precise illustrations to help farmers identify crop threats. The handwritten notes at the bottom, mentioning 'Pasadena, Calif.,' reveal the specific origin of this diseased specimen, turning a rotting lemon into a crucial piece of scientific history.
- Technique
- Watercolor
- Material
- Paper
Views: 2