Citrus sp.

These drawings are related to preparatory drawings for illustrations in J.B. Ferrari's book, 'Hesperides', first published in Rome in 1646. This was a publication describing the varieties of citrus fruit then in cultivation, with engraved illustrations of the fruit as well as views of gardens and of equipment for cultivating the trees. However, these drawings are not reproduced in Ferrari's book. They once formed part of the collection assembled by the great 17th-century antiquary and natural scientist Cassiano dal Pozzo. This collection of drawings is known as the 'Museo Cartaceo' or 'Paper Museum'. The majority of the collection passed in the British Royal Collections, where it remains, but in the 18th century several volumes of the drawings were sold and dispersed through the London art market. The V&A purchased several of these three drawings in 1949, including other drawings of citrus fruits and two botanical drawings, all originally from Cassiano's collection. [See E.731, 732, 734, and 735-1949.]