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Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris), 1596-1610. Creators: Anselmus de Boodt, Elias Verhulst
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Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris), 1596-1610. Creators: Anselmus de Boodt, Elias Verhulst
Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris), 1596-1610. Commissioned by Emperor Rudolf II
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Media ID 36365774
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Anselmus Boetius De Boodt Anselmus De Boodt Bood Anselmus De Boodt Anselmus Boetius De Boodt Anselmus De Boot Anselmus De Botanical Botany Brush De Boodt Anselmus Deck Paint Delft Zuid Holland Netherlands Elias Verhulst Emperor Rudolf Ii Holy Roman Emperor Natural History Rudolf Ii Rudolf Ii Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf Ii Von Habsburg Verhulst Elias Watermelon Watermelons Netherlandish Watercolour On Paper Watercolour Paint
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This exquisite 16th-century print depicts a watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris), a rare and exotic fruit that had recently been introduced to Europe from Africa. The illustration was created between 1596 and 1610 by the Flemish botanist Anselmus de Boodt and the Flemish artist Elias Verhulst, commissioned by Emperor Rudolf II of the Holy Roman Empire. The watermelon is depicted in meticulous detail, with its rough green rind and bright red flesh, intricately rendered using a combination of brush, chalk, ink, and watercolor on paper. The fruit is set against a plain background, allowing it to take center stage. The lettering below identifies the subject as "Watermelon" in both Latin and Dutch, reflecting the international scientific and cultural exchange of the time. The watermelon was a novelty in Europe at the time, and its inclusion in Emperor Rudolf II's extensive natural history collection speaks to his interest in the natural world and the exotic. This illustration is an important record of the early European fascination with this fruit, which would later become a popular summer treat. The print is a testament to the skill and artistry of Anselmus de Boodt and Elias Verhulst, who expertly captured the textures and colors of the watermelon, and to the scientific curiosity and cultural exchange that characterized the early modern period in Europe.
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