Researchers turn to art for clues about changing fruit and veg

Public urged to send in snaps of paintings to help unpick how produce has evolved

From the juicy grapes depicted by Clara Peeters to Cezanne's colourful apples, fruit and vegetables have appeared on myriad canvases over the centuries. Now researchers want the public to send in their snaps of such paintings to help unpick how our produce has evolved.

The duo behind the idea say harvesting such images could help shed light on the shapes and colours fruit and vegetables have taken over the years, as well as when and where such forms cropped up. They add it could even offer information on factors such as trade routes and food habits.