Rockmelon a backyard staple

Description

I wanted to paint the rockmelon because I love its sweet taste and it goes well with ice cream.  I have also grown rockmelon in the backyard.

The rockmelon is also known as cantaloupe.  According to Whiteman and Mayhew (2012, p 114), the rockmelon originated in Africa or Asia and has been known in China for at least 3000 years. After hybridisation, the fruits became sweeter, and the Moors brought the melons to Spain from Persia, where they were considered a sacred luxury. In Egypt, ancient drawings show melons were placed on altars as sacred offerings to the gods. Afterwards, they were then taken to Italy during the 15^th century and then on to France, where they were propagated by Avignon popes.  King Charles VIII introduced the melon to France, where it became a high-society luxury favoured by French nobility and artists (www.naplesnews.com).  Christopher Columbus then brought the rock melon to the New World.  In Japan, rock melons are a prized status symbol (www.sbs.com.au). In 1787, Rockmelons arrived in Australia aboard the First Fleet when seeds were brought from Europe and South Africa. Settlers bred the fruit to survive the harsh climate and called them rockmelons due to the firm, rough, rock-like rind. In Australia, the rockmelon evolved from an exotic import to a casual backyard staple served on fruit platters or wrapped in prosciutto.