Custard-apple plant
1785
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1785
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Custard-apple plant is a 1785 paint by Unknown, a Patna School of Painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
You see a custard-apple plant with spiky green leaves and a single fruit. Its rough skin stands out against the pale background. The artist painted every leaf vein and fruit bump with care. This is one of over 300 "Company paintings" made for British officials in India. An English judge and his wife paid Indian artists to record local plants and animals they loved. The Impeys even kept a private zoo at home. Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more from this series.
A botanical painting of a custard-apple plant (*Annona reticulata*) was created around 1785 by an unknown artist in Calcutta, likely as part of a series commissioned by Sir Elijah Impey and Lady Impey for their interest in Indian flora. The work belongs to the Company painting tradition, produced by Indian artists for British patrons during the late 18th century. It was part of a larger collection of over 300 images created between 1777 and 1782, reflecting the Impeys' patronage of local artists.
Read the full account in the museum source.
