George Brookshaw: "Pomona Britannica", 1812.

Code: 10165

George Brookshaw (1751-1823)

The "Pomona Britannica" (1812) depicts varieties of fruits cultivated at the Royal Gardens at Hampton Court and Kensington Gardens at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Brookshaw was originally a cabinet-maker but abandoned this career in mid-life to become a teacher of flower painting. While teaching, Brookshaw worked tirelessly on the engravings for the "Pomona", which were published in parts from 1804 and together as a collection in 1812. Using the subtle tones of the aquatint and stipple engraving techniques, Brookshaw created sumptuous images of richly coloured fruits, many against distinctive chocolate-coloured backgrounds, to produce an effect quite unlike that of previous botanical works. The "Pomona Britannia" is justly celebrated as being among the greatest botanical books of the nineteenth century, containing the best colour engravings of fruits ever produced. 

Sheet size: 572 x 430mm (22 1/2 x 17 inches)

Framed size: 680 x 552 mm (26 3/4 x 21 3/4 inches)

Reference: Dunthorne: 50