Artwork
Collection des fleurs et des fruits: Branches de Cérises précoce
Collection des fleurs et des fruits: Branches de Cérises précoce is a print by the Romanticist artist Jean Louis Prévost. It dates from 1805 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1805 by French illustrator Jean Louis Prévost, this print depicts a solitary branch of early‑bearing cherry trees. Rendered on a white ground, the composition isolates the foliage and fruit, allowing the viewer to examine the botanical elements without distraction. The work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection of botanical illustrations.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a single twig bearing dark‑green leaves and a series of small, spherical cherries at varying stages of ripeness, from pale orange to deep red. By showing the fruit’s development, the drawing serves as a visual study of the species’ growth cycle, reflecting the Enlightenment‑era interest in cataloguing natural phenomena.
Technique & Style
Prévost employed fine line work and delicate hatching to render the texture of leaf veins and the minute hairs on the foliage. Subtle gradations of tone convey the way light falls on each cherry, while the stark white background emphasizes precision over decorative effect, a hallmark of scientific illustration of the period.
History & Provenance
The print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings as part of its broader acquisition of early 19th‑century botanical prints. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s original publications, which were used in horticultural manuals and natural history volumes circulated across Europe.
Artist & collection
