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.
Set of Two Hand-Colored Ornithological Engravings by George Edwards /// Bird Art
By George Edwards
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: George Edwards (English, 1694-1773) Title: "Set of Two Hand-Colored Ornithological Engravings by George Edwards" (Plates 276, 143) Portfolio: A Natural History of Uncommon Bi...
Intaglio, Engraving, Laid Paper, Watercolor
Hand-Colored Swan Engraving
By George Edwards
Located in New York, NY
"The Wild Swan" by George Edwards from "A Natural History of Birds, Most of which have not been figured or described and others very little known..." published in London between 174...
Paper
Set of Two Hand-Colored Ornithological Engravings by George Edwards /// Bird Art
By George Edwards
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: George Edwards (English, 1694-1773) Title: "Set of Two Hand-Colored Ornithological Engravings by George Edwards" (Plates 90, 308) Portfolio: A Natural History of Uncommon Birds, and of Some Other Rare and Undescribed Animals / Gleanings Of Natural History Year: 1743-1764 Medium: Set of Two Original Hand-Colored Engravings on watermarked laid and wove papers Limited edition: Unknown Printer: C. Rickaby, London, UK Publisher: William Gardiner and Messrs. Robinson, London, UK Sheet size (each): approx. 11.25" x 9" Image size (each): approx. 8.63" x 7.38" Reference: Mullens and Swann page 194-195; Anker No. 124-126; Fine Bird Books page 93; Lisney page 128-144; Nissen IVB No. 286-288; Zimmer page 192-198 Condition: "90" has faint offsetting to sheet. "308" has one foxmark center right. They are both otherwise in excellent condition with strong colors Notes: Comes from Edwards seven volume portfolio "A Natural History of Uncommon Birds, and of Some Other Rare and Undescribed Animals" / "Gleanings Of Natural History" (1743-1764), which consists of 362 hand-colored engravings. "90" is on laid paper with a "fleur-de-lis" watermark at center left edge. "308" is on wove paper with no watermark. The last image of the cover title sheets is for reference/provenance; it is not included. Biography: George Edwards FRS (3 April 1694 – 23 July 1773) was an English naturalist and ornithologist, known as the "father of British ornithology". Edwards was born at West Ham...
Watercolor, Laid Paper, Engraving, Intaglio
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...
Watercolor, Engraving
George Edwards: c18th Engravings of Birds in Decalcomania Frames
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 Histo...
Watercolor, Etching
À Richmond (Angleterre) - Etching by George Edwards - 1864 ca.
By George Edwards
Located in Roma, IT
Etching on laid paper Signed in plate lower right: Edwards Published by Cadart & Luquet, Éditeurs, 79 Rue Richelieu, Paris With the blindstamp of the Société des Aquafortistes, l...
Etching
Turtles - Lithograph by George Edwards - 19th Century
By George Edwards
Located in Roma, IT
Turtles is an original print realized by George Edwards in the 18th century. Color lithograph. Original Title: Die kleine Moraft Tchildgröte, Tab. LXXVII. Good conditions, except...
Lithograph
Bird and Beetle - Etching and watercolor (Natural History of Birds, 1741)
By George Edwards
Located in Paris, IDF
George EDWARDS Bird and beetle ('The Gowry Bird') Original engraving, enhanced with watercolor Printed signature in the plate Dated, 1741 28.8 x 23.3 cm Created for Volume I of the...
Engraving, Watercolor
Pair of Hand-Colored Pelican Engravings
By George Edwards
Located in New York, NY
The Merican Pelican and The Pelican from George Edwards "A Natural History of Birds, Most of which have not been figured or described and others very little known..." published in Lo...
Paper
Hand-Colored Madagascar Parrot Engraving
By George Edwards
Located in New York, NY
Original engraving, hand-colored at the time of publication, after the work of George Edwards from "Sammlung verschneider auslandischer und seltener Vogel" by Johann Michael Seligmann. Tab IX. Le Perroquet...
Laid Paper
La Petite Venise (Provence) - Etching by Justin Gabriel - 1864 ca.
By George Edwards
Located in Roma, IT
Etching on laid paper Signed in plate lower left: Justin Gabriel Published by Cadart & Luquet, Éditeurs, 79 Rue Richelieu, Paris With the blindstamp of the Société des Aquafortis...
Etching
Traveling animals - Original etching enhanced with watercolor
By George Edwards
Located in Paris, IDF
George EDWARDS Traveling animals Original engraving enhanced with watercolor Signed in the plate and dated, 1746 28.6 x 23.5 cm From Volume II of the Natural History of Birds, plat...
Engraving
Tugs on the Hudson
By Charles Frederick William Mielatz
Located in Middletown, NY
Drypoint etching with engraving printed in black ink on Japanese mulberry paper, 4 1/2 x 3 3/8 inches (113 x 84 mm), full margins. In superb condition. A beautiful New York City river...
Handmade Paper, Drypoint, Etching
$99
H 12 in W 16 in D 0.1 in
Andean Motmot, Bird, Watercolor Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
174 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2023 Style: Classic Art Title: Andean Motmot Size: 12 x 16...
Paper, Watercolor
Year of the Ram
Located in Washington, DC
Silkscreen work by Noche Crist (1909- 2004). Marked in pencil 3/15 lower left. Printed by the artist in the 1970s. Image is from her Year of the Ram series...
Paper
Manhattan Mountains
By Lawrence Wilbur
Located in Plano, TX
Manhattan Mountains. 1938. Etching and drypoint. 14 3/4 x 12 3/8 (sheet 17 1/4 x 14 3/4). Artist proof, previous to the edition of 40. An atmospheric impression printed on buff-colored laid paper. Signed and dated in the plate. Signed, titled, and annotated 'Final state' and 'Jones Proof'in pencil. Housed in an archival sleeve. Painter and printmaker Lawrence Nelson...
Drypoint, Etching
$150
H 12 in W 16 in D 0.1 in
Cat Animal Watercolor on Paper Handmade Painting, One of a Kind
Located in Granada Hills, CA
472 Artist: Artyom Abrahamyan, Work: Original Painting, Handmade artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Watercolor on Paper Year: 2025 Style: Classic Art Title: Cat Size: 12 x 16 inch, (30...
Paper, Watercolor
'Brooklyn Bridge' — Iconic New York City Landmark
By Luigi Kasimir
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Luigi Kasimir, 'Brooklyn Bridge', color etching with aquatint, 1927, edition 100. Signed in pencil. A superb impression, with fresh colors, on heavy, cream wove paper; with margins...
Etching, Aquatint
$5,300
H 12.88 in W 9.63 in
Thistle and Moths, plate no. 6, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium
By Maria Sibylla Merian
Located in Middletown, NY
Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, Plate No. 6; Thistle and Moths. The Netherlands: 1705. Engraving with hand coloring in w...
Watercolor, Engraving
$772Sale Price|20% Off
H 14 in W 18 in D 0.5 in
"Three Herons" - Hand Watercolor Engraving
Located in Soquel, CA
"Three Herons" - Hand Watercolor Engraving "Three Herons" from a collection of the Most Rare Birds Drawn and Engraved From Life, A Natural and Rational History of the Different Bird...
Paper, Watercolor, Engraving
$5,300
H 12.88 in W 9.63 in
Tree with moth, caterpillar..., Plate 39, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium
By Maria Sibylla Merian
Located in Middletown, NY
Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, Plate No. 39; Unidentified tree with moth, caterpillar and pupa. The Netherlands: 1705....
Watercolor, Engraving
$5,300
H 12.88 in W 9.63 in
Cocoa plant, caterpillar, ..., Plate 26, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium
By Maria Sibylla Merian
Located in Middletown, NY
Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, Plate No. 26; Cocoa plant, caterpillar, pupa, and butterflies. The Netherlands: 1705. En...
Watercolor, Engraving
A Standing Leap at a Gate
By James Seymour
Located in Stoke, Hampshire
James Seymour (1702-1752) A Standing Leap at a Gate Mezzotint with hand colouring Image size 10 x 14 in Framed size 16 1/2 x 20 in James Seymour was an English artist renowned for h...
Mezzotint
$3,080Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 16 in D 0.5 in
"Que pico de Oro" (What a Golden Beak) - Etching and Aquatint on Paper
By Francisco Goya
Located in Soquel, CA
"Que pico de Oro" (What a Golden Beak) - Etching and Aquatint on Paper 5th or 8th edition print of "Que pico de Oro" from the Los Caprichos with burnished aquatints, drypoints etchi...
Engraving, Etching, Aquatint, Laid Paper
Sold
H 13 in W 11.03 in D 1.97 in
A Group of Twelve 18th Century engravings of Parrots.
By George Edwards
Located in London, London
Edwards, George Parrots, a group of twelve. London, For the author, at the College of Physicians in Warwick-Lane. 1747-1751 Decorative plates for “A Natural History of Birds” one ...
Watercolor, Engraving
Sold
H 15.75 in W 13.75 in
George Edwards: c18th Engravings of Birds in Decalcomania Frames
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 Histo...
Watercolor, Etching
Hand-Colored Dodo Bird Engraving
By George Edwards
Located in New York, NY
"The Dodo" by George Edwards from "A Natural History of Birds, Most of which have not been figured or described and others very little known..." published in...
Paper
Hand-Colored Penguin Engraving
By George Edwards
Located in New York, NY
Original engraving, hand-colored at the time of publication, after the work of George Edwards from "Sammlung verschneider auslandischer und seltener Vogel" by Johann Michael Seligma...
Laid Paper
Hand-Colored Penguin Engraving
By George Edwards
Located in New York, NY
The Penguin George Edwards "A Natural History of Birds, Most of which have not been figured or described and others very little known..." published in London between 1743 and 1751. ...
Paper
Pair of Hand-Colored Pelican Engravings
By George Edwards
Located in New York, NY
The Merican Pelican and The Pelican from George Edwards "A Natural History of Birds, Most of which have not been figured or described and others very little known..." published in Lo...
Paper
Sold
H 9 in W 7.25 in D 1 in
George Edwards, A Toucan on a branch, 18th century hand coloured engraving
By George Edwards
Located in Harkstead, GB
A really eye-catching image of this most exotic and characterful of birds. George Edwards (1694 – 1773) was an English naturalist and ornithologist, known as the "father of British ornithology".Edwards was born at Stratford, Essex. In his early years he travelled extensively through mainland Europe, studying natural history, and gained some reputation for his coloured drawings of animals, especially birds. In 1733, on the recommendation of Sir Hans Sloane...
Paper, Watercolor, Engraving
Sold
H 15.75 in W 13.75 in
George Edwards: c18th Engravings of Birds in Decalcomania Frames
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 Histo...
Watercolor, Etching
Sold
H 15.75 in W 13.75 in
George Edwards: c18th Engravings of Birds in Decalcomania Frames
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 Histo...
Watercolor, Etching
Hand-Colored Penguin Engraving
By George Edwards
Located in New York, NY
Original engraving, hand-colored at the time of publication, after the work of George Edwards from "Sammlung verschneider auslandischer und seltener Vogel" by Johann Michael Seligma...
Laid Paper
Sold
H 19.25 in W 16.75 in D 0.88 in
18th Century Hand Colored George Edwards Lanius (Shrike) Bird Engraving
By George Edwards
Located in Alamo, CA
18th century hand colored copper-plate engraving of an exotic bird, "Lanius, cauda forcipata" or Shrike, Tab VII from "A Natural History of Uncommon Birds, and of some other Rare and...
Engraving
Sold
H 19.25 in W 16.75 in D 0.88 in
18th Century Hand Colored Bird Engraving by George Edwards
By George Edwards
Located in Alamo, CA
18th century hand colored copper-plate engraving of an exotic bird, "Avis quaedam specici mixtae, ex Gallo Indico et Phafiano natae" (a type of Pheasant), Tab XXVII from from "A Natu...
Engraving