Pineapple

Fruit salad, anyone? This Pomological Watercolor is not only gorgeous, juicy and vibrant–it's historically rich. Commissioned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Division of Pomology beginning in 1887, these charming illustrations were carefully crafted to show off the color, texture, and personality of each peach, avocado, berry, and pomegranate (or, in this case, pineapple). At the time, color lithography was a game-changer for farmers and researchers, offering a vivid way to understand the many fruit and nut varieties featured in USDA publications. 

Built between the years 1886 to 1942, the collection grew to include 7,497 watercolor paintings, 87 line drawings, and 79 wax models. The pieces were mostly created between 1894 and 1916 by about 21 artists–bet they never had to pack a lunch! Together, these stunning scientifically accurate illustrations (also available in our Mail Minis collection) document the rainbow of fruits studied and introduced during what was a period of agricultural adventure and innovation. Some were common favorites, but you have to remember that America’s access to non-native crops happened over time. New, delightful surprises were brought back by USDA plant explorers from faraway places. Across the board, the specimens came from 29 countries and 51 U.S. states and territories, making the collection a juicy snapshot of the world's edible treasures.