Pomona Britannica: No. 17 - Plums
1806
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1806
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
You see a single branch heavy with ripe plums against a dark, velvety background. Brookshaw painted these for a book called *Pomona Britannica*, a catalog of the best fruits grown in England. Each plum is shown with tiny drops of water—like morning dew—so real you almost expect to feel them. The dark background isn’t just black; it’s made with aquatint, a printmaking method that gives it a soft, grainy texture. If you like how light and shadow play here, look up chiaroscuro.
