After emigrating from Germany in 1848, Roesen made his reputation in central Pennsylvania, where he specialized in vibrantly colored floral stilllife paintings. His opulent portrayals of flowers and fruits struck a chord within the region, which was experiencing an economic boom thanks to a thriving timber industry. Displayed in homes, restaurants, and taverns, Roesen’s paintings signified the abundance of America’s natural resources.

Roesen painted on commission, and he often recycled certain motifs from picture to picture. The nest on the lower left with three eggs appears in many of his paintings, as does the partially peeled lemon to the right. Not only did the recycling of motifs save Roesen time and labor, it helped him establish a signature style in the region. He reserved landscape backdrops for his most elaborate pictures, such as this work.

—Text taken from the Carter Handbook (2023)