Pyrus communis - Giffard
1908
Elsie E. Lower captured the 'Giffard' pear in exquisite detail, showing both the blushing green-and-red exterior and a sliced cross-section to reveal the seeds inside. Created in 1908, this piece is part of a fascinating historical project where the U.S. Department of Agriculture hired artists to document fruit varieties across the country. The handwritten notes in the corner trace the fruit back to a specific grower in Caroline County, Maryland, turning a simple fruit study into a precise scientific record. It’s a beautiful example of how art was used to preserve agricultural history before photography took over.
- Technique
- Watercolor
- Material
- Paper
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