Grape vine, Cornichon blanc (*Vitis vinifera*), Antique botanical print by Bessa (c.1801-1819)

French Cultivated Grapes (Cornichon blanc) — An Elongated Study of Form and Freshness

This original early 19th-century botanical engraving depicts Vitis vinifera as a cultivated French variety identified in the plate as Cornichon blanc. The composition presents a distinctive cluster of elongated grapes suspended beneath a broad, finely veined vine leaf, arranged with clarity against a luminous field of white space.

Unlike rounder Muscat or Chasselas varieties, the Cornichon blanc is characterised by its unusual, almost cylindrical fruit. Bessa renders these elongated berries with exceptional finesse, modelling each form through soft green tones and gentle highlights that emphasise freshness and translucency rather than weight.

Issued as part of Arbres et Arbustes, this plate stands out for its exploration of form as much as variety, documenting a cultivated grape whose visual identity is immediately recognisable and botanically precise.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The composition is structured around a graceful contrast between the broad, lobed leaf and the slender, pendant cluster below. The elongated grapes introduce a vertical rhythm that feels lighter and more graphic than the rounded masses seen in other vineyard plates.

Fine stipple engraving and exceptionally clean hand-colouring give the fruit a crisp, almost porcelain-like surface. The restrained green palette—touched with pale yellow undertones—enhances the sense of freshness and makes this plate particularly striking in bright, contemporary interiors.

About the Subject

The plate is identified in the original publication as a cultivated grapevine variety:

• Scientific name: Vitis vinifera
• Category: Vigne cultivée (cultivated vine)
• Variety (as printed): Cornichon blanc

The Cornichon blanc was cultivated for its distinctive shape and fresh character, and this plate records the variety with clarity, restraint, and an emphasis on morphological uniqueness.

Condition Report

The engraving is in exceptional antique condition, effectively like brand new. The original hand-colouring is remarkably fresh and clean, with no visible toning or defects. No watermark has been observed. The engraved credits “P. Bessa pinx.” and “Gabriel sculp.” are present.

Details

• Artist: Pancrace Bessa
• Engraver: Gabriel
• Work / Publication: Arbres et Arbustes
• Period: early 19th century (c. 1801–1819)
• Technique: Original hand-colored engraving
• Paper: Original period paper
• Watermark: None observed
• Sheet size: approx. 40 × 25 cm

For insight into Pancrace Bessa’s distinctive hand-colouring techniques, see our editorial feature on Pancrace Bessa:

Pancrace Bessa: the Naturalist Painter of Botanical Grace