Artwork
Plantae Selectae: No. 50 - Ficus
Plantae Selectae: No. 50 - Ficus is a print by the Romanticist artist Georg Dionysius Ehret. It dates from 1762 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
This watercolor shows a single fig branch with two ripe fruits, green leaves, and tiny bugs.
This watercolor shows a single fig branch with two ripe fruits, green leaves, and tiny bugs. You can see each vein in the leaves and the rough skin of the figs. The artist used fine, careful brushstrokes to make the plant look almost real.
Ehret worked closely with scientists. He painted plants for their books, not just for pretty pictures.
If you like this, try Georg Dionysius Ehret (German, 1708–1770).
Overview
Georg Dionysius Ehret's Plantae Selectae: No. 50 - Ficus, created in 1762, is a watercolor piece housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, showcasing the artist's meticulous botanical rendering.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a single fig branch in meticulous detail, featuring two ripe fruits, green leaves with visible veins, and tiny insects, emphasizing scientific accuracy over mere aesthetics.
Technique & Style
Ehret employed fine, careful brushstrokes to achieve a near-life-like representation, characteristic of his collaborative approach with scientists, prioritizing precision and realism.
History & Provenance
Created in 1762, the piece is part of Ehret's contributions to scientific publications, rather than solely decorative works, reflecting his role as a botanical illustrator for scholarly texts.
Context
Ehret's work bridged art and science, catering to the 18th-century demand for accurate botanical illustrations to accompany scientific writings, a period marked by heightened interest in natural history.
Legacy
As a prominent botanical artist of his time, Ehret's precise and detailed works, like Plantae Selectae: No. 50 - Ficus, continue to exemplify the intersection of artistic skill and scientific inquiry in the 18th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Georg Dionysius Ehret was a German botanist and entomologist known for his botanical illustrations.
