Cape Gooseberry or Goldenberry (Physalis peruviana)

The fact that the Historia Naturalis albums were sold only three times in four centuries accounts for the excellent condition of the individual drawings. The colours – like the deep orange in this sheet – are as pristine as the day they were applied. This gooseberry may be one of the many botanical drawings in the albums made by the Delft floral painter Elias Verhulst, from whom De Boodt commissioned around 200 drawings.