Mark Catesby Collection

Laurel Tree, 1731-1743 (hand-coloured etching)
986443 Laurel Tree, 1731-1743 (hand-coloured etching) by Catesby, Mark (1679-1749); Private Collection; (add.info.: Laurel Tree. From The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands)

Tetraodon lineatus, globe fish

The Little Black Bullfinch (Rubicilla minor nigra), probably 1743/1762. Creator: Johann Michael Seligmann
The Little Black Bullfinch (Rubicilla minor nigra), probably 1743/1762

The Bald Eagle (Falco leucocephalus), probably 1743/1762. Creator: Johann Michael Seligmann
The Bald Eagle (Falco leucocephalus), probably 1743/1762

The Tropic Bird (Phaeton aethereus), probably 1743/1762. Creator: Johann Michael Seligmann
The Tropic Bird (Phaeton aethereus), probably 1743/1762

The Red Bellied Woodpecker (Picus Carolinus), probably 1743/1762. Creator: Johann Michael Seligmann
The Red Bellied Woodpecker (Picus Carolinus), probably 1743/1762

Rana aquatica, water frog
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby

Green Tree Frog
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby

Johann Michael Seligmann after Mark Catesby (German, 1720 - 1762), The Bald Eagle (Falco leucocephalus), probably 1743-1762, hand-colored engraving on laid paper

Mark Catesby (English, 1679 - 1749), The Purple Jack Daw (Gracula Quiscula), published 1731-1743, hand-colored etching on laid paper

Terrestrial crab, artwork C016 / 5545
Terrestrial crab, artwork. Plate 32 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahamas, Vol 2 by Mark Catesby

Plumeria plant, 18th century C016 / 5506
Plumeria plant, 18th-century artwork. This artwork is from volume 1 of The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) by English naturalist Mark Catesby (1683-1749)

Ophisaurus sp. glass snake & Chrysanthemum americanum
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby. Entitled The Glass Snake

Catharus minimus, grey-cheeked thrush

Taxostoma rufum, brown thrasher
Plate 28, hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731-43) Vol. 1 by Mark Catesby

Swietenia sp. mahogony tree
Plate 81 from Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahamas, Vol 2, 1743 by Mark Catesby

Magnolia tripetala, umbrella magnolia
Illustration from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida & the Bahama Islands (1731) by Mark Catesby, of Type Specimens of plants named by Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778)

Asimina triloba, paw paw
Illustration from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida & the Bahama Islands (1731) by Mark Catesby, of Type Specimens of plants named by Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778)

Pentalinon luteum, hammock vipers tail
Illustration by Mark Catesby (1683-1749) from Type Specimens of plants named by Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778)

Opheodrys sp. green snake
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby. Entitled The Green Snake

Elaphe guttata, corn snake
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby. Entitled The Corn Snake

Thamnophis sp. garter snake
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby. Entitled The Green Spotted Snake

Thamnophis sp. ribbon-snake
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby. Entitled The Ribbon Snake

Nerodia erythrogaster, copperbelly snake
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby. Entitled The Copperbelly Snake

Crotalus sp. water viper
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby. Entitled The Water Viper

Chelonia mydas, green turtle
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby

Holocanthus ciliaris, queen angelfish

Solea lunata, sole
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby

Remora remora, remora
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby

Sardina pilchardus, European pilchard
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby

Balistes vetula, queen trigggerfish
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby

Stenotomus chrysops, scup
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby

Mormyrus ex cinereo nigricans, bone-fish
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby. Catesbys described this fish as Mormyrus ex cinereo nigricans, the bone-fish

Halicoeres radiatus, puddingwife & Atractoscion nobilis, kin

Perca sp. croker & Holocentrus sp. squirrelfish
Illustration from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol 2 by Mark Catesby (1683-1749)

Haemulon sciurus, blue striped grunt & Lutjanus apodus, scho
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby

Margate fish (top) & sea sparrow-hawk (bottom)

Mycteria americana, wood stork
Plate 81, hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731-43) Vol. 1 by Mark Catesby

Arenaria interpres, ruddy turnstone
Plate 72, hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731-43) Vol. 1 by Mark Catesby

Rallus limicola, Virginian rail
Plate 70, hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731-43) Vol. 1 by Mark Catesby

Myrmecocichla nigra, sooty chat
Plate 68, hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731-43) Vol. 1 by Mark Catesby

Piranga rubra, summer tanager
Plate 56, hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731-43) Vol. 1 by Mark Catesby

Sayornis phoebe, eastern phoebe, Vireo olivaceus, red-eyed v
Plate 54, hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731-43) Vol. 1 by Mark Catesby

Farancia sp. mud snake
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby. Entitled Wampum Snake

Thyrsites atun, barracuda & Albula vulpes, vulpis
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby

Crotalus sp. brown viper

Gymnothorax funebris, green moray
Hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731) Vol. 2 by Mark Catesby

Podilymbus podiceps, pied-billed grebe
Plate 91, hand coloured etching from The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama islands (1731-43) Vol. 1 by Mark Catesby

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Mark Catesby, an English naturalist and artist, dedicated his life to exploring the wonders of nature. From 1731 to 1743, he meticulously documented various species in his hand-colored etchings. One of his notable works is the Laurel Tree, a stunning depiction of this majestic plant. Catesby's passion for marine life is evident in his portrayal of the Tetraodon lineatus, commonly known as the globe fish. With intricate details and vibrant colors, he brings this unique creature to life on paper. Theobroma cacao, or cocoa tree, also found its place in Catesby's collection. His illustration showcases its significance as a source of chocolate production and highlights its delicate beauty. In addition to plants and marine creatures, Catesby had an eye for amphibians like the Green Tree Frog. Through his artistry, he captures their charming features that make them beloved by many. Collaborating with Johann Michael Seligmann resulted in remarkable pieces such as The Bald Eagle. This collaboration allowed Catesby's work to reach wider audiences across different countries. Catesby's exploration extended beyond flora and fauna; he delved into orchids like The Vanelloe (Epidendrum Vanilla) and plants like Cats Claw (Mimosa circinalis). These illustrations showcase both their elegance and importance within ecosystems. Amongst mammals featured in his works is The Grey Fox Squirrel (Sciurus cinereus), portrayed with meticulous attention to detail that reflects Catesby's dedication to accuracy. The Land Frog (Rana), published between 1731-1743 with vibrant hand-coloring techniques employed by Catesby himself demonstrates his commitment towards capturing nature’s essence through artistry. Snakes were not overlooked either; The Coach-Whip Snake (Coluber flagellum), Ribbon Snake (Coluber saurita), and Glass Snake (Anguis ventralis) were all subjects of his illustrations.