Hesperides sive de Malorum Aureorum cultura et usu. Libri Quatuor 1646

This is an engraving by Giovanni Battista Ferrari, it comes from "Hesperides sive de Malorum Aureorum cultura et usu. Libri Quatuor". During the 17th century, botanical illustrations weren't just about science, they were a reflection of a rapidly changing world. In this image, the idyllic scene of cultivating citrus fruits is staged as a classical allegory. We see a blend of the mythological and the practical. The Hesperides, nymphs from Greek myth, tend to the golden apples – symbols of immortality and beauty. Consider how the division of labor is represented, a man is climbing a ladder to pick fruit, another prepares the soil, while the classically draped women observe. It's as though Ferrari is offering a commentary on societal roles through the lens of horticulture. The citrus fruit itself becomes a symbol of luxury and exoticism, reflective of Europe's expanding global reach. It’s an image that evokes the senses, inviting us to contemplate our relationship with nature, culture, and the complex narratives we project onto both.