Pavie jaune. (Peaches) 1807 - 1835

"Pavie jaune. (Peaches)" is a botanical illustration of peaches. It is an engraving by an anonymous artist. During the Enlightenment, botany became a popular science, aligning with Europe’s colonial expansion and its exploitation of global resources. Botanical illustrations played a key role, documenting new plant species brought back from explorations of the so-called New World and other colonies. The artist highlights the delicate leaves, the subtle pink blossom, the fuzzy skin of the fruit, and the pit nestled inside the halved peach. The scientific gaze is gendered. It focuses on fertility and reproduction. It highlights nature as a resource for human use. The peaches may speak to cultural appropriation, and the exploitation of natural resources by colonial powers. The print is both beautiful and unsettling, prompting us to reflect on the complex relationship between humans and the natural world.