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Cactus Plant in Flower

ca. 1800
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 464
The night-blooming Cereus cactaceae only displays its beautiful fragrant blossoms in the moonlight, which is reflected by the flower’s white petals, thereby attracting various pollinators. As is typical for such botanical studies, the plant is shown in several stages of development within one image. The cactus plant sends out a bud, which blooms as a white flower. After it is pollinated by a moth or even a bat, the flower dies and droops, and a bright red fruit grows from the base of the bud, which can be plucked and eaten.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Cactus Plant in Flower
  • Date: ca. 1800
  • Geography: Made in India, probably Calcutta
  • Medium: Opaque watercolor on paper
  • Dimensions: Painting
    H. 34.6 in. (87.9 cm)
    W. 18.1 in. (45.9 cm)
    Frame
    H. 49.6 in. (126 cm)
    W. 33.1 in. (84 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Islamic Art Gifts, 2012
  • Object Number: 2012.410
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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