Citron-lemon, Citrus limonimedica thumbnail 1
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Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level E , Case DP, Shelf 15

Citron-lemon, Citrus limonimedica

Drawing
17th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This drawing is related to preparatory drawings for illustrations in J.B. Ferrari's book, 'Hesperides', first published in Rome in 1646. This was a publication describing the varieties of citrus fruit then in cultivation, with engraved illustrations of the fruit as well as views of gardens and of equipment for cultivating the trees. However, this particular drawing is not reproduced in Ferrari's book. It once formed part of the collection assembled by the great 17th-century antiquary and natural scientist Cassiano dal Pozzo. His collection of drawings is known as the 'Museo Cartaceo' or 'Paper Museum'. The majority of the collection passed into the British Royal Collections, where it remains, but in the 18th century several volumes of the drawings were sold and dispersed through the London art market. The V&A purchased several of these drawings in 1949, including other drawings of citrus fruits and two botanical drawings, all originally from Cassiano's collection. [See E.731, 732, 734, and 735-1949.]


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleCitron-lemon, Citrus limonimedica (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour and bodycolour over chalk, with gum heightening , on paper mounted on larger sheet framed by wash lines
Brief description
Vincenzo Leonardi, Citron-lemon, Citrus limonimedica, early to mid 17th century, from the 'Paper Museum' of Cassiano dal Pozzo
Physical description
Drawing showing a citrus fruit with leaves, and below a section through the fruit. Watercolour and bodycolour over black chalk, with gum heightening , on paper mounted on larger sheet framed by wash lines.
Dimensions
  • Height: 58.5cm
  • Width: 43.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
nnn (sepia ink; below section of fruit)
Object history
This drawing was mounted in the 18th century. It comes from the collection of Cassiano dal Pozzo. It is related to other drawings by Leonardi in dal Pozzo's collection which were engraved as illustrations to J.B. Ferrari's 'Hesperides', published in Rome in 1646; this one was not published.

Provenance: dal Pozzo; Albani; George III, by descent to George V; London art market (Mendelson); Mrs Helen de Beer
Subject depicted
Summary
This drawing is related to preparatory drawings for illustrations in J.B. Ferrari's book, 'Hesperides', first published in Rome in 1646. This was a publication describing the varieties of citrus fruit then in cultivation, with engraved illustrations of the fruit as well as views of gardens and of equipment for cultivating the trees. However, this particular drawing is not reproduced in Ferrari's book. It once formed part of the collection assembled by the great 17th-century antiquary and natural scientist Cassiano dal Pozzo. His collection of drawings is known as the 'Museo Cartaceo' or 'Paper Museum'. The majority of the collection passed into the British Royal Collections, where it remains, but in the 18th century several volumes of the drawings were sold and dispersed through the London art market. The V&A purchased several of these drawings in 1949, including other drawings of citrus fruits and two botanical drawings, all originally from Cassiano's collection. [See E.731, 732, 734, and 735-1949.]
Bibliographic references
  • The Paper Museum of Cassiano dal Pozzo: A Catalogue Raisonné. Series B - Natural History. Part One: Citrus Fruit by David Freedburg and Enrico Baldini (Harvey Miller Publishers, 1997), cat.70
  • Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Prints and Drawings and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1949, London: HMSO, 1961.
Collection
Accession number
E.733-1949

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Record createdJuly 21, 2005
Record URL
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