Johann Hermann Knoop (1700-1769) was a distinguished court and head gardener, serving in both Hesse-Cassel and later as head gardener to the Dowager Princess of Orange at Marienburg. A mathematician, draughtsman, and passionate lover of science, Knoop played a key role in the evolving field of garden design, skilfully blending horticulture with land surveying and mathematical precision.
His landmark publication, Pomology or Description of the Best Kinds of Apples and Pears (1763), was the first full-colour work dedicated exclusively to pomology. Originally published in Dutch, its popularity led to translations into French and German. In this vibrant volume, Knoop not only recorded and described fruit varieties native to Northern Europe but also contributed his own hand-coloured engravings, based on his sketches. These illustrations stand out for their naturalistic composition, with the fruits arranged as if casually scattered across a surface, offering both scientific insight and artistic charm.
