Who painted Plantae Selectae: No. 29 - American May Apple?

Plantae Selectae: No. 29 - American May Apple was painted by Christopher Jacob Trew in 1762.

Where can I see Plantae Selectae: No. 29 - American May Apple?

Plantae Selectae: No. 29 - American May Apple is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Plantae Selectae: No. 29 - American May Apple?

Plantae Selectae: No. 29 - American May Apple is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Plantae Selectae: No. 29 - American May Apple

Christopher Jacob Trew , 1762

Plantae Selectae: No. 29 - American May Apple is a print by the Romanticist artist Christopher Jacob Trew. It dates from 1762 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Plantae Selectae: No.

About this work

Overview

Plantae Selectae: No. 29 – American May Apple is a botanical print executed in 1762 by the English illustrator Christopher Jacob Trew. The work belongs to a larger collection of plant studies compiled under the title *Plantae Selectae*, and it is presently in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The image records the American May Apple (*Podophyllum peltatum*), presenting the whole plant from its spreading root system to a mature leaf, a solitary white flower, and a series of developing fruit. The inclusion of each growth stage reflects the 18th‑century scientific aim of documenting plant morphology for identification and study.

Technique & Style

Rendered as a detailed print, the illustration employs fine line work and subtle shading to convey texture, such as the lobed leaf surface, the delicate central pistil of the flower, and the interior of the seed pod. A Latin caption runs along the bottom, typical of contemporary botanical plates that combined visual precision with scholarly labeling.

History & Provenance

Created by Trew in 1762, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through a later acquisition, joining other works from the *Plantae Selectae* series. Its presence in the museum underscores the institution’s interest in historic scientific illustration.

Context

During the mid‑1700s, European naturalists produced systematic plant series to catalogue the expanding knowledge of flora from the New World. Trew’s contribution aligns with this tradition, offering a meticulous visual record intended for botanists, physicians, and educated collectors.