Florentine Verdino figs on a silver plate.
2026
Oil on fine linen
25 x 30 cm (9.8 x 11.8″), framed dimensions: 37 x 42 cm (14.6 x 16.5″)
Set in a black polished Dutch-style frame.
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This painting of Verdino figs celebrates both a rare heritage fruit and the growers who preserve such historic cultivars. The figs were cultivated by Siro Petracchi in the hills above Florence and sent for study. Their distinctive green skin and rich flavour have made the Verdino a treasured variety for generations.
Figs have appeared in European still-life painting throughout the ages, admired for the contrast between their restrained exterior and luminous interior. Painted from direct observation, this work explores the quiet beauty of a subject that has long occupied a place in the still life tradition.
The painting was created using pigments and materials informed by historical painting practice. Among these is natural ultramarine, derived from Afghan lapis lazuli, one of the most prized pigments available to European painters for centuries. Its subtle presence within the figs and foliage contributes to the depth and luminosity of the work, while connecting the painting to the wider history of artistic materials and global trade.
