Studies of the leaves, blossoms, fruits and trunk of an English elm (Ulmus procera)

Art Historical Context

Created in 1788, Ludwig Pfleger’s “Studies of the leaves, blossoms, fruits and trunk of an English elm” offers a meticulous portrait of Ulmus procera. The large sheet assembles multiple views of the tree’s foliage, delicate flowers, winged seeds, and rugged bark, presenting the species as both a living organism and an object of careful observation. Pfleger worked in watercolor over a black-chalk underdrawing, a technique that allowed him to record subtle color shifts while maintaining structural accuracy. A double ink border frames the composition, lending the sheet the formal appearance of a scientific plate intended for study or publication. Dating from the height of Enlightenment natural-history projects, the drawing reflects the period’s growing interest in systematic botany. Today, visitors can appreciate how such works bridged art and science, preserving both the visual beauty and the botanical details of a once-common European tree.