If you’re a vintage botanical art fan, you’ll love this! Today, I’m excited to share a gorgeous collection of Asian fruit watercolours dating back to 1798.
This album of Chinese watercolours showcases a stunning variety of fruits native to Asia. Created over 200 years ago, these paintings were meticulously detailed to capture the unique beauty of each fruit. These images offer a glimpse into the region’s rich botanical heritage, from luscious lychees to exotic dragon fruits.
Why You’ll Love These Prints
These intricate details and vibrant colours make these watercolours a fantastic way to bring vintage charm into any room. Growing up in Asia, I’ve got a soft spot for many of these fruits, and I can’t wait to hang up some of these prints in my own home.
These fruit illustrations look great whether you’re sprucing up your kitchen, living room, or office. And the best part? They’re in the public domain, so you can download and print them in any size you want—for free!
If you’re searching for more gorgeous fruit art, check out the Pomological collection on the site. It’s packed with stunning watercolours of common fruits like berries, apples, citrus, and tropical goodies. There’s something here for everyone!
How to Download and Print
Click on the title above the Asian fruit watercolour you want to download, and a higher-resolution image will open in a new tab. Then, with the click of your mouse, you can save or print that image.
These Asian fruit watercolours aren’t just for framing. They’re perfect for crafting, scrapbooking, or even as a unique gift wrap. Let your creativity run wild!
The Chinese Watercolours of Asian Fruits
The first 12 showcase vibrant arrangements with multiple fruits, showing them in different stages—some peeled, segmented, or cut open—surrounded by flowers and leaves. The next 8 focus on a single fruit per painting, complete with its flower, foliage, and seed.
Prints 1-12 Multiple Fruits
Asain Fruits Painting 1: Jackfruit, Rambutan & Guava
Rambutan is like a quirky cousin to the lychee, with its bright red, hairy shell hiding juicy, sweet flesh. It’s a popular snack in Southeast Asia.
Jackfruit is the heavyweight champ of fruits, known for its massive size and versatile flavour—sweet when ripe and a great meat substitute when young.
Guava is a tropical delight with a unique blend of sweetness and tartness. It is often enjoyed fresh, juiced, or even with some chilli salt for an extra kick.
Fruit Watercolour 2: Mangosteen, Wax Apple & Yellow Rambutan
Mangosteen is known as the “queen of fruits” in Asia. With its deep purple rind and sweet, tangy white flesh, it’s a tropical treat that’s as delicious as beautiful.
Wax apples, also called “jambu,” are crisp and refreshing with a mild sweetness. Their shiny, bell-shaped fruit is a common sight in Southeast Asian markets.
I’m not sure what the fruits are in this painting. The citrus fruit looks a bit like a Pomelo but has a flat shape.
Fruit Watercolour 4: Mango and Snake Fruit
Mangos are a beloved Asian staple known for their juicy, sweet, and tangy flavour.
Snake fruit, or “salak,” may look intimidating with its scaly skin, but inside, you’ll find a crunchy, tangy-sweet flesh perfect for a unique snack.
Asian Fruits Watercolour 8: Pink Pineapple
I’m unsure if the large fruit is a pink pineapple or a type of dragon fruit.
Watercolour Painting of Fruits 9
Asain Fruit Watercolours Print 10
Watercolour Fruits Print 11- Durian
Durian is often called the “king of fruits” in Asia. It is famous for its strong aroma and creamy, custard-like flesh. It’s a love-it-or-hate-it kind of fruit, but there’s nothing else like it for those who love it!
Watercolour of Multiple Exotic Fruits 12
Prints 13-22 Single Fruits
Watercolour Fruits Print 13 Lychees
Lychees are little gems of sweetness with a juicy, floral flavour loved across Asia. Their rough, red shells hide a deliciously refreshing treat perfect for snacking or adding to desserts.
Exotic Watercolour Fruits 15 – Watermelon
Watermelon is the ultimate refreshing treat, especially in the heat of summer. It’s a popular fruit for cooling down in Asia, offering juicy, sweet bites perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Asian Watercolour Fruits – Pink Guava
Pink guava is a tropical delight with its sweet, fragrant flesh and vibrant colour. Whether eaten fresh, juiced or with a little salt and chilli, it’s a favourite in many parts of Asia for its unique blend of sweetness and tartness.
Exotic Watercolour Fruit 17 – Custard Apple
Custard apples have a creamy, sweet flavour that is as comforting as dessert. Their bumpy green skin hides soft, luscious segments that taste like a blend of vanilla and tropical fruit—making them a popular treat across Asia.
Chinese Fruit Watercolour 20 – Pomelo
Pomelos are gentle giants of the citrus family, offering a sweet, mild flavour less tangy than a grapefruit. In Asia, they’re enjoyed fresh or in salads and hold special significance during the Lunar New Year, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead.
Conclusion & Other Related Posts
These watercolour prints of Asian fruits are a fun and beautiful way to bring a bit of tropical charm into your home. Whether you’re decorating or love the look of these exotic fruits, these free downloads are a great way to add a splash of colour and Asia’s natural beauty to your space.
If you are going to print these Asian fruit watercolours at home, then I have some great tips for printing them on watercolour paper.
Maris Sibylla Merian has a wonderful collection of prints featuring insects feasting on various tropical fruits. John Lindley also has many tropical botanical illustrations.
If you are looking for more vintage fruit prints, check out this collection of pineapple drawings and avocado illustrations, the wonderful fruit posters of Adolphe Millot, and this collection of vintage Vegetables and fruit illustrations.
If you fancy, you can Buy Me A Coffee Here.
Michelle
Tuesday 13th of August 2024
These prints are beautiful! Pinning.
claire
Tuesday 13th of August 2024
Thank you so much. Yes when I found them I just new I had to share them as they are wonderful.