The history of Citrus limon, the tree that produces lemons, is not fully known, most likely originating from southern China. It then appears in Persia, Iraq and Egypt around the seventh century AD. In the second millennium, it is already cultivated in Europe. In 1493, Christopher Columbus brought it to America.

Lemon juice has a wide range of uses. It is best known as a helper in the kitchen, enhances the taste of dishes, is used in the production of various non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, is added to marinades, and is used as a food preservative. Lemon juice is also a popular ingredient in herbal preparations and is also used in home beauty treatments.

The author of the still lifes from the gallery collections is the painter Zdeněk Tůma, who was better known as a scenographer and theater designer. He graduated from the Prague Academy under the guidance of Vojtěch Hynais and Jakub Obrovský, and traveled to France, England and Spain as part of his study trips. Thanks to his work in the theater environment, he met the actress Adina Mandlová, whom he also married. Unfortunately, the marriage was not a happy one and Tůma committed suicide a few months after the wedding. However, during his short life, he managed to leave a significant mark in the theater world, where he participated in the creation of several dozen scenographic and costume designs.

Jana Jarošová, August 29, 2024