Mela di Astracan - Apple

by Giorgio Gallesio

Introduce yourself to the unique tradition of Italian pomology with this superb reproduction of the Mela di Astracan (Malus Astracanensis).

It comes from the pages of Giorgio Gallesio’s famous Pomona Italiana (1817–1839) which was published in Italy during the 19th century and is considered to be the country's first scientific treatise on regional fruits. Gallesio was an extremely talented botanist whose experiments were quoted by Charles Darwin in his works on the theory of natural selection.

The illustration shows an exquisite branch holding a vividly colored apple from the Astracan variety together with a cross-section displaying the seeds inside it. The print has been digitally restored to keep the old look with its beautiful stipple-engravings characteristic of the original. It would make a perfect addition to both contemporary and classic decor.