Governor Wood Cherry

Celebrate the crisp, vibrant beauty of historic American pomology with this exceptional vintage botanical art print. Originally hand-painted in 1911 by the prominent USDA scientific illustrator Ellen Isham Schutt, this exquisite watercolor documents the “Governor Wood” sweet cherry variety (Prunus avium), famously sourced from an orchard in New Carlisle, Ohio.

Featuring a branch heavy with glistening, ruby-red cherries and lush green leaves against an open, naturally warm ivory backdrop, this meticulously restored print preserves the artist’s original handwritten archival notes. The resulting piece beautifully pairs authentic agricultural history with a serene, naturalistic aesthetic to create a timeless focal point for your wall.

The History: Ellen Isham Schutt (1873–1955) was one of the most prolific and talented female artists employed by the United States Department of Agriculture during the golden age of scientific pomological illustration. Between 1904 and 1914, she created over 700 highly detailed watercolors, systematically cataloging new and prized fruit varieties introduced across the country. This specific illustration, painted on June 14, 1911, captures a prime specimen submitted by grower W.N. Scarff from Clark County, Ohio. Today, her original masterpieces are preserved as irreplaceable cultural and scientific treasures within the U.S. National Agricultural Library.

The Aesthetic: A masterclass in realistic botanical watercolor, this composition features a cluster of plump, glossy red cherries hanging elegantly from a slender woody branch. Schutt brilliantly handles color gradients, capturing the bright, light-catching translucent skins of the fruit alongside a meticulous cross-section showing the inner stone pit. The rich green leaves are delicately veined, providing a stunning natural contrast against the clean, warm ivory background. Finished with authentic, handwritten archival notation detailing the date, specimen number, and historical origin, this poster blends classic scientific precision with effortless gallery appeal.

It is an ideal statement piece for:

• Gardeners, orchard owners, chefs, fruit enthusiasts, history buffs, and collectors of antique scientific drawings and natural history illustrations.

• Bright kitchens, cozy breakfast nooks, sunlit dining rooms, farmhouses, or as a vibrant organic anchor in a gallery wall.

• Modern farmhouse, cottagecore, biophilic, traditional, or transitional interior design styles that value clean, botanical accents and a storied past.

Product Details

Artist: Ellen Isham Schutt – Vintage USDA Pomological Illustrator

Title: Governor Wood Cherry (Prunus avium Study)

Subject: Antique American Sweet Cherry Watercolor and Archival Notation

Original Date: June 14, 1911

Style: Early 20th-Century Scientific Watercolor / Vintage Botanical Fine Art

Museum-Quality Vintage Prints

Our vintage posters are made to order using premium Giclée printing techniques. Every piece is printed on thick, heavyweight fine art paper (200gsm) with a smooth, completely matte finish.

We specifically source an acid-free, natural-toned paper that perfectly recreates the warmth and authentic character of original mid-century lithographs. Unlike standard glossy posters, our premium matte finish ensures there is zero glare when your artwork is framed behind glass, resulting in a rich, museum-quality display. Combined with long-lasting, UV-resistant pigment inks, your print is designed to remain vibrant for generations.