The Cassiano Lemon painting uses subtle light and shadow to create the appearance of fully rounded, three-dimensional fruits. It is intricately and comprehensively detailed, showing textural aspects from the rough, slightly blemished exteriors of the lemons to the soft petals of their flowers. Our Perfect Recreation™ is the first-ever reproduction of this unique original watercolor.

About Cassiano dal Pozzo

Cassiano was one of the most important patrons of art in 17th-century Italy. His Museo Cartaceo (Paper Museum) included drawings and prints of antiquarian relics, geological specimens, animals and plants from everywhere in the known world.

Cassiano commissioned the very best botanical artists in Italy to produce a comprehensive study of domestic and unusual fruits. His relationship with the Medici family of Florence provided access to their botanic garden that was renowned throughout Europe for its spectacular collection of indigenous and exotic flora.

Although Cassiano commissioned works of a scientific nature, his extraordinary artists produced paintings of great aesthetic value. Dramatic combinations of shadow and lights along with a wonderful sense of the tactile are hallmarks of this great collection.

The Museo Cartaceo commissioned artworks from Pietro da Cortona, Francesco Albani, Nicolas Poussin, Guido Reni, G.F. Romanelli, Andrea Sacchi, Paolo Ubaldini, and Vincenzo Leonardi.  These watercolors, superb examples of baroque botanical painting, were admired and coveted; eventually, they were purchased by King George III of England.