Aangetaste appel 1836 - 1912

This is ‘Aangetaste appel’ or ‘Damaged Apple’ by Isaac Weissenbruch, rendered in ink on paper. The medium itself—pen on paper—is a traditional one, yet Weissenbruch’s treatment elevates it beyond mere scientific illustration. Notice how the hatching marks follow the volume of the fruit, suggesting its three-dimensionality, as well as the sense of decay. The apple is not ideal, but it is shown with an even-handed, objective eye. The title points to the apple’s imperfections, and the rendering is similarly candid: it’s not the flawlessly shiny produce of a supermarket, but an object marked by time and circumstance. In an era of mass agricultural production, this image serves as a reminder of the beauty inherent in natural processes, decay, and the acceptance of imperfection. It challenges the conventional association between fine art and perfect beauty, and invites us to find value in the mundane and imperfect.