This illustration has a framing rectangle of a realistic banana and its anatomical growth stages and parts numbered but unordered. A full illustration of a ripe, unpeeled banana has green on either ends and takes up most of the left side of the frame. To its right on the top of the frame, is a black and white and yellow illustration of one end of a banana with parts of a flower emerging from the top, and the written number 2 next to it. On the right of that is an illustration with a number 1, showing a misshapen banana with petals and flowers emerging from the top. Underneath that are two black and white illustrations, 3 and 4, of the flowers stylus and pistil (3) and the stylus open (4). At the bottom are illustrations number 5 and 7: 5 is small unripened bottom of banana, cut across the top, revealing a seed formation in the middle. On the right is 7: a color drawing of a ripened banana cut across the top in the same manner, showing a progressed seed formation in the center. To the left of the full banana illustration, is a black and white a black and white illustration numbered 8, showing roots and new growth. Outside of the rectangular frame, there is text at the top reads '54 bis,' and the text at the bottom reads 'BANANIER' in all caps, with a small signature on the bottom right of the framing rectangle.

This object is currently on display in room 212 as part of Botanical Lessons. See our image rights statement.

See more objects with the tag , science, education, schematic.

Object Timeline

	We acquired this object.
2019	We photographed this object. We exhibited this object.
2022	You found it!

Bananier, Plate 54, Flore Médicale, 1814

This is a Bananier, Plate 54.

This object is not part of the Cooper Hewitt's permanent collection. It was able to spend time at the museum on loan from Smithsonian Libraries and Archives as part of Botanical Lessons.

It is dated 1814. Its medium is printed paper. It is a part of the department.

The author of this publication, François-Pierre Chaumeton, was a French physician and pharmacist who worked as a military doctor at the turn of the 19th century. After his retirement, Chaumeton started writing for medical publications, which led to Flore Médicale, a book that presents a wide range of botanical species for pharmaceutical use. The title however goes beyond its initial scope, and includes flowers and fruits like this banana.

It is credited Smithsonian Libraries.

Drawing, Botanical sketches
Gift of Louis P. Church.
1917-4-869-c

Sidewall, Botanical
cut and pasted paper with dried foliage on paper support.
Gift of Elizabeth Dow Ltd..
1998-66-7

Sculpture In The Form Of A Banana
glass.
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wiesenberger.
1967-66-24

Our curators have highlighted 1 object that are related to this one.

The Use Of The Plant In Decorative Design, Book

The Use Of The Plant In Decorative Design, Book
lithograph on paper.
Smithsonian Libraries, NK1560 .L3X 1912.
139.2018.8

Its dimensions are

H x W (open): 24.6 × 37.6 cm (9 11/16 × 14 13/16 in.)

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/4wUqxW/
Accession Number 23.2018.3
Object ID 2318793596