PIERRE JEAN FRANÇOIS TURPIN (FRENCH, 1775 - 1840). Mango Tree. 1808-1827.

PIERRE JEAN FRANÇOIS TURPIN
(FRENCH, 1775 - 1840)
“Mangifera Indica (Mangier De L’inde. Anglis, Mango Tree)”
Preparatory drawing for F.R. Tussac. Flore des Antilles, ou histoire générale botanique, rurale et economique des végétaux indigènes des Antilles.
Paris: chez l’auteur, F. Schoell et Hautel, 1808-1827
Vol 2. Pl. 15

Medium: Watercolor and pencil on paper
Inscription: “Mangifera indica”
Paper size: 18 x 12 1/2 in.
Frame size: 23 3/4 x 20 1/2 in.

Mangifera indica, commonly known as mango, was discovered growing in the West Indies during the 18th-century. It is believed that the Portuguese introduced this fruit from India to Africa, and then to South America. Mangoes are now grown in various tropical and subtropical regions, including the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Mediterranean coast.

Tussac described this fruit:
“This tree, interesting in several respects, is native to the East Indies; it was introduced into Jamaica in 1782, by Lord Rodney; it was part of a rich collection of useful and pleasant plants, which a French frigate brought from the East Indies, to naturalize them in our possessions in the West Indies, but it was captured by Lord Rodney. Food is without doubt one of the most precious gifts that beneficent nature has given to countries located between the tropics. The fruits of this tree differ among themselves by their taste, their shape, their color, according to the different species or varieties which are present, since in Jamaica there are more than eighty of them. Many species flatter the sight, smell and taste at the same time; some have the smell and taste of apricots, others of peaches and plums… Although in Santo Domingo we are neighbors of Jamaica, and we have frequent relations with this colony, I was very surprised to find there several kinds and species of fruits that we do not have: we make there mention of more than eighty species or varieties of mango, and we only have eight to ten in Santo Domingo.”

Appeared in F.R. Tussac. Flore des Antilles, ou histoire générale botanique, rurale et economique des végétaux indigènes des Antilles. Paris: chez l’auteur, F. Schoell et Hautel, 1808-1827 Vol 2. Pl. 15