Bring the crisp, zesty energy and rich sun-kissed heritage of early 20th-century California citrus country into your home with this exceptional vintage botanical art print. Originally hand-painted between January 1907 and 1908 by the celebrated USDA scientific illustrator Ellen Isham Schutt, this exquisite watercolor study documents two distinct developmental stages of the classic lemon (Citrus limon), sourced directly from the legendary orchards of Riverside, California.

The composition beautifully juxtaposes a vibrant, textured emerald-green unripe lemon next to a perfectly mature, sun-baked canary-yellow ripe lemon—each shown both as a whole fruit and sliced cleanly in half to reveal its glossy, segmented interior. Meticulously restored to preserve the original rich watercolor pigmentation and delicate graphite outlines, this print rests on a naturally warm ivory backdrop with authentic handwritten archival notes, offering a refreshing and deeply historic focal point for your walls.

The History: Ellen Isham Schutt (1873–1955) was a premier illustrator for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Division of Pomology during the golden age of American botanical illustration. Before color photography became a reliable scientific tool, Schutt and her contemporaries were tasked with creating an exhaustive visual record of the nation’s agricultural varieties. This specific piece holds incredible regional significance, painted on-site and in studio sessions beginning January 3, 1907, using specimens sent from Riverside, California—the historic birthplace of the California citrus empire. Logged under archival specimen numbers 4220 (“Green Lemon”) and 4221 (“Ripe Lemon”), this masterwork is preserved today within the permanent collections of the National Agricultural Library.

The Aesthetic: A masterclass in organic contrast and botanical precision, this print effortlessly balances clean composition with rich, tactile details. Schutt beautifully captures the dimpled, oil-rich texture of the citrus rinds, shifting from a deep, waxy lime green on the upper fruit to a luminous, bright yellow on the lower specimen. The cross-sections offer a fascinating glimpse of scientific accuracy, detailing the teardrop-shaped pulp vesicles, the pale white pith, and the tiny cream-colored seeds nestled at the center. Grounded by a delicate pencil shadow that gives the fruit a lifelike three-dimensional weight and completed by elegant archival cursive handwriting, this high-contrast botanical print introduces a sophisticated, academic charm to modern decor.

It is an ideal statement piece for:

Culinary enthusiasts, home chefs, citrus growers, gardeners, historians, and collectors of vintage agricultural diagrams and natural history watercolors.
Bright modern kitchens, sunny dining rooms, breakfast alcoves, cafes, bar carts, or as a vibrant pop of color on a curated gallery wall.
Modern farmhouse, biophilic, mid-century modern, Japandi, or transitional interior design styles that value clean, bright spaces paired with warm, storied accents.

Product Details

Artist: Ellen Isham Schutt – Vintage USDA Pomological Illustrator

Title: Green and Ripe Lemons (Citrus limon Study)

Subject: Antique California Citrus Watercolor and Archival USDA Notation

Original Date: January 3, 1907 – November 1908

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.