Bring the warm, sun-kissed heritage of early American tropical horticulture into your home with this exceptional vintage botanical art print. Originally hand-painted in August 1912 by the celebrated USDA scientific illustrator Ellen Isham Schutt, this exquisite watercolor captures a longitudinal section of the historic “Pollock” avocado variety (Persea americana), sourced directly from the legendary plant pioneer Edward Simmonds in Miami, Florida.

Featuring a perfectly halved avocado with a rich, glossy emerald skin, creamy golden-yellow flesh, and a magnificent, textured seed pit, this meticulously restored print preserves the artist’s original handwritten archival details. Against its naturally warm ivory backdrop, this piece achieves a tranquil, organic aesthetic that effortlessly elevates modern walls with a touch of classic agricultural history.

The History: Ellen Isham Schutt (1873–1955) was a premier and highly prolific figure in the United States Department of Agriculture’s team of botanical artists during the golden age of American pomological illustration. Working in the early 20th century, a period when photography was not yet a viable medium for recording scientific details, Schutt and her peers meticulously documented newly introduced crop varieties to aid American farmers. Paint sessions for this specimen took place on August 6 and August 20, 1912, illustrating a ‘Pollock’ avocado—originally selected as a seedling in Miami and officially logged under Seed and Plant Introduction (S.P.I.) number 12936. The specimen was provided by Edward Simmonds (notated on the print as “Simmons”), the esteemed superintendent of the USDA’s Brickell Avenue Plant Introduction Garden in Miami. Today, Schutt’s original masterworks are preserved in the National Agricultural Library, serving as a national treasure of botanical heritage.

The Aesthetic: A stunning display of early 20th-century realism, this composition uses crisp, focused minimalism to highlight the rich, buttery textures of the tropical fruit. Schutt masterfully renders the transition of the avocado’s flesh, grading seamlessly from a vibrant lime-green edge into a soft, warm canary-yellow interior. The massive, teardrop-shaped seed takes center stage, painted with intricate layers of chestnut, ochre, and chocolate brown to give it a realistic, woody sheen. Grounded by authentic, elegant archival cursive displaying historical registration numbers, dates, and the Miami origin, this high-contrast print adds an effortless layer of academic and naturalistic charm to any space.

It is an ideal statement piece for:

Culinary enthusiasts, home chefs, plant lovers, tropical gardeners, and collectors of vintage scientific diagrams and natural history watercolors.
Bright modern kitchens, sunny dining rooms, breakfast nooks, cafes, or texturally rich gallery walls.
Modern farmhouse, biophilic, mid-century modern, Japandi, or transitional interior design styles that value clean spaces paired with warm, organic focal points.

Product Details

Artist: Ellen Isham Schutt – Vintage USDA Pomological Illustrator

Title: Pollock Avocado (Persea americana Study)

Subject: Antique Florida Avocado Watercolor and Archival S.P.I. Notation

Original Date: August 6 & 20, 1912

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.