Picture Details
Chilli pepper, watercolour and gouache on paper.
Partner:
Kew GardensImage reference:
ILLUS114.0/10.0FOrigin:
IndiaArtist / Date:
Unknown, 1750-1800Donor / Date:
1919Size:
418 x 265 mmDescription:
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Botanical illustration seldom uses hard shadows to give an impression of depth, as this can potentially hide information about the plant which could be useful to a botanist. This illustration is unusual in demonstrating a solid shadow, seen cast by a pepper onto one of the upper leaves, albeit still small. One of the leaves has been turned to reveal its underside, this may appear rather forced, but this was a common device to demonstrate differences in texture or colour between both sides of the leaf, for recognition purposes. The inscription refers to Claude Martin (1735-1800), a Frenchman whose acumen for business earned him a fortune while working for the Nawab of the State of Awadh, Asaf-ud-Daula (reigned 1775-1797). Martin settled permanently in Lucknow in 1775, where he commissioned numerous native artists to provide illustrations of Indian plants, birds and animals.
