On 1stDibs, there are several options of george edwards bird prints available for sale. Finding the ideal examples of these works for your living room, whether you’re looking for small- or large-size pieces, is no easy task — start by shopping our selection today. These items have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 18th Century. Adding a colorful piece of art to a room that is mostly decorated in warm neutral tones can yield a welcome change — see the george edwards bird prints on 1stDibs that include elements of
beige,
gray and more. Many versions of these artworks are appealing in their rich colors and composition, but
George Edwards produced especially popular works that are worth a look. Frequently made by artists working in
engraving,
etching and
paint, all of these available pieces are unique and have attracted attention over the years.
Known today as the Father of British Ornithology, George Edwards was a draftsman and naturalist who popularized the art of bird and animal illustrations throughout the 18th century. His main collections of etchings, which were bound as the volumes A Natural History of Uncommon Birds and Gleaning of Natural History, together comprise more than 600 animals and were the first works to delineate many of the featured species.
Edwards cultivated an interest in natural history while traveling around Europe, becoming particularly enamored with birds. Upon his return to the United Kingdom, in 1733, Irish physicist Hans Sloane, an acquaintance of British naturalists/illustrators Eleazar Albin and Mark Catesby, offered Edwards a librarian position at the Royal College of Physicians. The job granted him access to a large collection of works on natural history, which he explored enthusiastically.
With instruction from Catesby, Edwards learned etching and spent much of his time preparing plates and drawings for his books. While Edwards hand-colored his early editions, later works were colored in by other artists, like British artist Peter Paillou, allowing Edwards to focus on etching and writing.
George Edwards earned his reputation for both his illustrations and written descriptions of his subjects — widely acclaimed for their accuracy. Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus cited Edwards’s texts when developing his major work, Systema Naturæ. The Royal Society in London awarded Edwards the Copley Medal in 1750 for outstanding achievement in the field of science. Edwards retired in 1763 to Plaistow, England, and died in 1773.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of George Edwards engravings and wall decorations.