Who painted "Do Not Eat Beans" [fol. 25 recto]?

"Do Not Eat Beans" [fol. 25 recto] was painted by French early 16th Century in 1513.

Where can I see "Do Not Eat Beans" [fol. 25 recto]?

"Do Not Eat Beans" [fol. 25 recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is "Do Not Eat Beans" [fol. 25 recto]?

"Do Not Eat Beans" [fol. 25 recto] is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

"Do Not Eat Beans" [fol. 25 recto]

French early 16th Century , 1513

"Do Not Eat Beans" [fol. 25 recto] is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist French early 16th Century. It dates from 1513 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The drawing, executed in pen and brown ink with watercolor on laid paper, depicts a bearded figure in a long robe standing on a rocky ledge.

About this work

Overview

The drawing, executed in pen and brown ink with watercolor on laid paper, depicts a bearded figure in a long robe standing on a rocky ledge. He raises his right hand as if speaking, while his left hand grips a scroll. Beside him a small plant labeled “Fabe” bears green leaves and red flowers, and a few birds appear in the low background.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is identified as Pythagoras, the ancient philosopher noted for his theories linking numbers to the natural world.

The figure is identified as Pythagoras, the ancient philosopher noted for his theories linking numbers to the natural world. The inscription “Do Not Eat Beans” references a traditional anecdote that Pythagoras prohibited the consumption of beans, a rule that has been interpreted variously as dietary, symbolic, or philosophical. The juxtaposition of the scholar and the plant suggests a visual pun on his reputed taboo.

Technique & Style

Rendered with fine pen lines and restrained brown ink, the artist adds watercolor washes to suggest the texture of the robe, the foliage, and the sky. The use of laid paper provides a subtle grain that enhances the sketch‑like quality. The composition is simple, with a limited palette and minimal background, focusing attention on the central figure and the labeled plant.

History & Provenance

The work is catalogued as folio 25 recto in an unidentified manuscript collection, indicating it was likely produced as an illustrative marginal note rather than a standalone artwork. Its medium and style align with Renaissance-era scholarly drawings that combined didactic content with visual humor, though the exact date and creator remain undocumented.

Context

During the Renaissance, scholars frequently revived classical figures such as Pythagoras, often embedding moral or educational messages within their illustrations. The admonition against beans reflects a broader interest in ancient dietary prescriptions and the symbolic meanings attached to plants, a theme that appears in contemporary texts on natural philosophy and health.

Artist & collection

Artist

French early 16th Century

A French draftsman from the early 1500s filled sheets of laid paper with tiny, sharp-tongued instructions—ink sketches paired with warnings like “Do Not Eat Your Heart Out” or “Feed Not Things That Have Sharp Claws.”…