Pera Buon-Cristiana da Inverno - Pear

by Giorgio Gallesio

This remarkable, unique early nineteenth century botanical illustration features the "Pera Buon-Cristiana da Inverno" (the Winter Bon Chrétien Pear), derived from the magnificent masterpiece, Pomona Italiana by Giorgio Gallesio (1817-1839). As the most celebrated definitive study of Italy's long-established pomological tradition, Pomona Italiana is internationally acclaimed not only for its scholarly merit but for the unsurpassed skill of its illustrations.

The image illustrates a single healthy fruit hung from an authentic branch ornamented with thick leaves of deep green color. The engraving vividly renders the heft and distinctive asymmetric, bell-like shape of the famous winter pear. The artist uses exquisite stipple engraving enhanced with hand-colored washes of watercolor to reproduce the spotted surface of yellowish green color with remarkable accuracy. The formal Italian inscription below the image makes this an excellent decorative specimen for collectors of natural history artwork and botanical prints.