Fruit: From the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Between 1886 and 1942, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pomology Division—pomology being the study of fruit growing—commissioned an illustrated register of fruits, most of which were painted by women artists. These watercolor illustrations were invaluable to growers, who used them as records of prized varieties that were in danger of being stolen or counterfeited by competitors. Today, the watercolors serve as...