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George Edwards Animal Paintings

English, 1694-1773

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.

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Artist: George Edwards
George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Engraving, Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural Hi...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Engraving, Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Engraving, Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Engraving, Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Engraving, Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Engraving, Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Engraving, Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Engraving, Watercolor

Set of Twelve 18th Century Engravings of Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Engraving, Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

George Edwards : A Set of Twelve 18th Century Etchings of Hummingbirds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Etching, Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Engraving, Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Set of Twelve 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Etching, Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Engraving, Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Ducks And Wading Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

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Previously Available Items
George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving

George Edwards: 18th Century Engravings of Birds
By George Edwards
Located in Richmond, GB
George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...
Category

18th Century George Edwards Animal Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Engraving

George Edwards animal paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic George Edwards animal paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by George Edwards in paint, watercolor, engraving and more. Not every interior allows for large George Edwards animal paintings, so small editions measuring 14 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Nathan Neven, Thomas Broadbent, and Joseph Broghammer. George Edwards animal paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,650 and tops out at $19,800, while the average work can sell for $1,650.

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