Artwork
A Fruit-Bearing Tree; A Cedar of Paradise

A Fruit-Bearing Tree; A Cedar of Paradise is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Phebe A. Smith. It dates from 1842 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center verso: Instrument. Phebe A. Smith / Water Vliet
About this work
Overview
A Fruit-Bearing Tree; A Cedar of Paradise is a drawing created by Phebe A. Smith in 1842 using pen and black ink with colored wash over graphite.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a tree with dark green leaves, bright flowers, and small red berries, set against a background featuring a yellow building with a window and a golden gate. An urn at the tree's base and accompanying handwritten text, possibly a poem or story, add to the scene's narrative.
Technique & Style
The artist employed black ink and colored washes to achieve depth and vibrancy in the foliage and flowers, showcasing a detailed and nuanced approach to floral art.











