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1 of 253523 objects
Digitated lemon c. 1640
Watercolour and bodycolour over black chalk | 24.8 x 25.5 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 919358
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A watercolour of a fingered whole lemon. In the treatise for which many of Cassiano's drawings of citrus fruit were made, Giovanni Battista Ferrari, commented that ‘while we are horrified by monstrosities in human beings, we love them in fruit’. The deformity here is caused by the action of a mite on the flower bud.
Provenance
Commissioned by Cassiano dal Pozzo; from whose heirs purchased by Pope Clement XI, 1703; his nephew, Cardinal Alessandro Albani, 1721; from whom bought by George III, 1762 and thence by descent to King George V (dispersed from Royal Library between the two World Wars); London art market (most via dealer Jacob Mendelson); by Sir Rex Nan Kivell (partner of the Redfern Galleries on Cork Street); presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 1976-77
As part of ongoing provenance research, this work has been identified as having uncertain or incomplete provenance for the years 1933–45. Royal Collection Trust welcomes information and assistance in the investigation and clarification of the provenance of all works during that era. -
Creator(s)
Acquirer(s)
Commissioner(s)
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Medium and techniques
Watercolour and bodycolour over black chalk
Measurements
24.8 x 25.5 cm (sheet of paper)
32.6 x 34.5 cm (whole object)
Markings
watermark: Eagle ?15 (cut) [On sheet]
watermark: D & C Blauw [On mount sheet]
Other number(s)
RL 19358Alternative title(s)
Lemon, Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.: fingered whole fruit
Featured in
ExhibitionAmazing Rare Things: The Art of Natural History in the Age of Discovery: The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace
Drawings illustrating the development of European knowledge
