15 Fancy and Funny Food Illustrations From the British Library

By Food & Wine
Updated August 14, 2015
Courtesy of The British Library
The British Library has a Flickr account. Though this may seem unnecessary, the purpose behind it is actually quite practical: There are over one million images they need you to tag and categorize. With shelves of public domain works to sift through, their "Mechanical Curator" has been uploading imagery from nearly 400 years' worth of documents since 2013 and users at home have been slowly categorizing the pictures. It's a fascinating project, but as yet there hasn't been a dedicated food section. Before you fall into the black hole of Flickr and see an entire afternoon pass by as you browse the entire collection, we've found the funniest and fanciest food illustrations. Enjoy!
Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Fruit Salad

Credit: Courtesy of The British Library

Never in my life have I seen a cherry sliced like that.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

En Garde!

Credit: Courtesy of The British Library

This man is getting revenge on a ham that wronged him.

3 of 15

Splendid Spice

Credit: Courtesy of The British Library

Wow, nutmeg trees are way more beautiful than those little brown nuggets.

Advertisement

4 of 15

Second Helping

Credit: Courtesy of The British Library

All-you-can-eat racks of lamb are a bad business model.

5 of 15

Plant Life

Credit: Courtesy of The British Library

Coffee has never looked so beautiful (except on Monday morning).

6 of 15

Ground-Nuts?

Credit: Courtesy of The British Library

The name "peanut" is starting to look so much better by comparison.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Seasick Steamers

Credit: Courtesy of The British Library

This same scene was re-created 100 years later on a Carnival Cruise.

8 of 15

Not Just A Figment

Credit: Courtesy of The British Library

Somehow this one feels like it's getting too intimate with a fig.

9 of 15

Squash & Stuff

Credit: Courtesy of The British Library

There's a farmers' market in Brooklyn that would kill for this kind of signage.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Spirit Guide

Credit: Courtesy of The British Library

Every restaurant should have a ghost telling you when to steer clear of the fish.

11 of 15

Pour One Out

Credit: Courtesy of The British Library

Okay, on second thought, let's just keep spooky things out of the dining room.

12 of 15

Brödfrugt

Credit: Courtesy of The British Library

The Danish word for "breadfruit" more accurately describes the way it looks.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

Dinner Time

Credit: Courtesy of The British Library

I don't know what "brutes would do," but I would keep the good fish for myself.

14 of 15

Dress Code

Credit: Courtesy of The British Library

She has the right idea: You shouldn't have to wear a shirt to a picnic.

15 of 15

Ra-Ra-Riots

Credit: Courtesy of The British Library

Frankly, if I were mad, I'd be looting the bakery too.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

By Food & Wine