Artist: Royal Charles Steadman
Medium: Watercolor on Engraved Paper
Creation Year: July 30, 1919
Dimensions: 6 x 9 inches
Style: Still Life
Period: Early 20th Century
Condition: Excellent
Description: This exquisite botanical study of a plum branch was created by Royal Charles Steadman (1875–1964), a highly regarded American botanical illustrator known for his precise yet graceful renderings of fruit and plant life. Signed and dated July 30, 1919, the watercolor exemplifies Steadman’s ability to balance scientific accuracy with artistic elegance.
Two ripe, deep-purple plums hang delicately from a sturdy twig, their rich tones highlighted with subtle blushes of red. The velvety texture of the fruit is contrasted by the crisp green leaves, painted with careful attention to veining and natural variation. Even the cut end of the branch reveals Steadman’s meticulous eye for detail, emphasizing the authenticity of the subject.
Steadman’s works were often commissioned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and featured in their renowned Pomological Watercolor Collection, which documented hundreds of fruit varieties for both scientific and agricultural use. This painting not only demonstrates his technical mastery but also conveys the inherent beauty of the natural world, elevating a simple plum branch into an object of enduring elegance. Collectors prize works like this for their rarity, historical importance, and the remarkable blend of artistry and documentation they represent.
Artist: Royal Charles Steadman
Medium: Watercolor on Engraved Paper
Creation Year: July 30, 1919
Dimensions: 6 x 9 inches
Style: Still Life
Period: Early 20th Century
Condition: Excellent
Description: This exquisite botanical study of a plum branch was created by Royal Charles Steadman (1875–1964), a highly regarded American botanical illustrator known for his precise yet graceful renderings of fruit and plant life. Signed and dated July 30, 1919, the watercolor exemplifies Steadman’s ability to balance scientific accuracy with artistic elegance.
Two ripe, deep-purple plums hang delicately from a sturdy twig, their rich tones highlighted with subtle blushes of red. The velvety texture of the fruit is contrasted by the crisp green leaves, painted with careful attention to veining and natural variation. Even the cut end of the branch reveals Steadman’s meticulous eye for detail, emphasizing the authenticity of the subject.
Steadman’s works were often commissioned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and featured in their renowned Pomological Watercolor Collection, which documented hundreds of fruit varieties for both scientific and agricultural use. This painting not only demonstrates his technical mastery but also conveys the inherent beauty of the natural world, elevating a simple plum branch into an object of enduring elegance. Collectors prize works like this for their rarity, historical importance, and the remarkable blend of artistry and documentation they represent.
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