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Mark Catesby (1683-1749)

The Natural History of Carolina,. Florida and the Bahama Islands
London, 1731-43. (first edition), 1754 (second edition), 1771-1810 (third edition)
Engravings with original hand-coloring
 
In 1712, the English-born artist and naturalist Mark Catesby embarked on a series of expeditions to the southern colonies of British North America. Catesby was enthralled by the wildlife of the New World, and he spent years traveling by foot through parts of present-day Virginia, Georgia, the Carolinas and the Bahamas. Over the course of his journeys, he encountered and documented uncountable varieties of animal and plant life that were entirely unknown to Europeans. His drawings and written observations were the raw material for an unprecedented project: a scientific account of previously uninvestigated wildlife, with illustrations taken from life. 

Catesby initially encountered some difficulty in interesting sponsors in his monumental Natural History. Determined nonetheless to persevere in his project, and also wishing to maintain control over the translation of his drawings into print, the artist learned to engrave copper plates and set out to complete the Natural History himself. He produced all but two of the plates, and painted the impressions himself to further insure their fidelity to his models. The result was the most sweeping, complete and unique natural history study ever done. Despite Catesby's initial difficulties in finding subscribers, his striking finished product received widespread acclaim. Cromwell Mortimer, Secretary of the Royal Society, declared the publication to be "the most magnificent work I know since the Art of printing has been discovered." Catesby's charming, distinctive style sets his work apart from all artists who later followed his example. The overt simplicity of his compositions is deceiving; the artist arranged each of his images with great care, often combining seemingly incongruous elements to create the most artful scene possible. A sense of Catesby's enthusiasm for his subjects is palpable in his engravings. 

Very few artists were so personally involved in the completion of a published work, and Catesby's images convey what the artist must have experienced in America: the colors and varieties of the exotic species of birds, fish, animals, insects and plants of the New World. Widely considered the great achievement of 18th-century art and science, Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands has lost none of its power to delight in the 250 years since its publication. This remarkable study of American plants and animals is a monument to Catesby's intelligence, scientific devotion and love of nature. The Natural History has provided an important model for ornithologists and scientists, including John James Audubon, who followed in Catesby's footsteps a century later.
Georg Dionysius Ehret (German, 1708-1770) & Mark Catesby (British, 1683-1749), T96, The Mangrove Grape-Tree

Georg Dionysius Ehret (German, 1708-1770) & Mark Catesby (British, 1683-1749), T96, The Mangrove Grape-Tree

Georg Dionysius Ehret (German, 1708-1770) & Mark Catesby (British, 1683-1749)T96, The Mangrove Grape-Treefrom Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2Published, London (1731-43), 1771, Third...
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), T 13, Silky Camellia and Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), T 13, Silky Camellia and Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) T13, Silky Camellia and  Ruby-crowned Kinglet from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 2, Appendix Published, London, 1771-1880, Third edition Engravings with hand coloring Sheet...
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), The Pied-billed Dopchick, 91

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), The Pied-billed Dopchick, 91

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) The Pied-billed Dopchick, 91 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1754. 2nd edition. Engraving with hand coloring Sheet size approx....
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), The Whip-poor will, no. 16

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), The Whip-poor will, no. 16

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) The Whip-poor will, no. 16 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1754. 2nd edition. Engraving with hand coloring Sheet size...
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Bahaman Orchid, P88

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Bahaman Orchid, P88

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) Bahaman Orchid, P88 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1754. 2nd edition. Engraving with hand coloring Sheet size approx.  21...
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Balsalm Tree, P99

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Balsalm Tree, P99

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) Balsalm Tree, P99 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1754. 2nd edition. Engraving with hand coloring Sheet size approx.  21...
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Buffalo, no. 20

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Buffalo, no. 20

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) Buffalo, no. 20 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1754. 2nd edition. Engraving with hand coloring Sheet size approx. 14...
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Cat's Claw, P97

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Cat's Claw, P97

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) Cat's Claw, P97 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1754. 2nd edition. Engraving with hand coloring Sheet size approx.  21...
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Cross-Vine P82

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Cross-Vine P82

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) Cross-Vine P82 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1731-43, 2nd Edition  Engravings with hand coloring Sheet size:...
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Cucumber Tree, no. 15

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Cucumber Tree, no. 15

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) Cucumber Tree, no. 15 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1754. 2nd edition. Engraving with hand coloring Sheet size approx....
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Custard Apple P86

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Custard Apple P86

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) Custard Apple P86 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1731-43, 2nd Edition  Engravings with hand coloring Sheet...
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Geiger Tree P91

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Geiger Tree P91

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) Geiger Tree P91 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1731-43, 2nd Edition  Engravings with hand coloring Sheet...
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Geiger Tree, P91

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Geiger Tree, P91

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) Geiger Tree, P91  from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1754. 2nd edition. Engraving with hand coloring Sheet size approx.  21...
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Great Laurel, no. 17

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Great Laurel, no. 17

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) Great Laurel, no. 17 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1754. 2nd edition. Engraving with hand coloring Sheet size approx....
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Ichneumon Fly, no. 4

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Ichneumon Fly, no. 4

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) Ichneumon Fly, no. 4 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1754. 2nd edition. Engraving with hand coloring Sheet size approx....
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Le Coq du Bois d'Amerique (Partridge), T1

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Le Coq du Bois d'Amerique (Partridge), T1

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) Le Coq du Bois d'Amerique (Partridge), T1 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 2, Appendix  Published, London, [1731-43] 1771, 3rd edition Engravings with hand coloring...
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Mock Orange P84

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Mock Orange P84

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) Mock Orange P84 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1731-43, 2nd Edition  Engravings with hand coloring Sheet...
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Mock Orange, P84

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Mock Orange, P84

Mark Catesby (1683-1749)  Mock Orange, P84  from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1754. 2nd edition. Engraving with hand coloring Sheet size approx.  21...
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Mountain Laurel, P98

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Mountain Laurel, P98

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) Mountain Laurel, P98 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1754. 2nd edition. Engraving with hand coloring Sheet size approx.  21...
Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Paw Paw P85

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), Paw Paw P85

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) Paw Paw P85 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands..., Volume 1 & 2 Published, London, 1731-43, 2nd Edition  Engravings with hand coloring Sheet...