This question refers to the poem "International Fruit of Welcome" by Kim Roberts.
In this poem, the speaker talks about pineapples, and she describes the many advantages and qualities that this fruit has. We learn that a pineapple is sweet and convenient. However, the author also talks about the aesthetic properties of fruit. She tells us that the pineapple never goes out of style. In order to provide some evidence of this claim, the author tells us that pineapples are used in architecture: they are present in bolsters, finials, and lintels. All of this shows that the aesthetic qualities of pineapples are highly appreciated.
I did some research, and the only info I could find was that his wife commissioned it to hang next to her portrait and that the artist was an early patron of Washington. Sorry I couldn't help further.
