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.
!8th-century Engraved Prints of Exotic Birds by George Edwards (12)
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
A Cabinet of Curiosities: Set of Twelve George Edwards Exotic Birds Engravings, Dated 1744–1761 This extraordinary suite of twelve framed artworks features original, hand-colored en...
Paper
12 ANTIQUE 1740 GEORGE EDWARDS HAND COLOURED ORNITHOLOGICAL ENGRAVINGS OF BIRDs
By George Edwards
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare suite of Twelve original 1740-1760 dated hand water coloured prints after George Edwards 169...
Paper
GEORGE EDWARDS - Two Hand Colored Ornithological Engravings - U.K. - C.1741-1759
By George Edwards
Located in Chatham, ON
GEORGE EDWARDS (Naturalist, ornithologist and artist 1694-1773) - 'A Natural History of Uncommon Birds' (Published in several volumes between 1743 and 1764) - Antique pair of mid 18t...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Original Pastel Drawing "Le Pont de Passes Grilles" by George Wharton Edwards
By George Edwards
Located in San Diego, CA
Original pastel and graphite drawing "Le Pont de Passes Grilles" by George Wharton Edwards, circa early 1900s. The drawing is in good antique co...
Crayon
$171Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.32 in W 6.89 in D 0 in
Old Print of the 8th President of the United States Martin van Buren, ca.1865
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Martin van Buren'. Old portrait of Martin van Buren. Martin Van Buren was an American statesman who served as the eighth preside...
Paper
Willy Eisenschitz Original pastel
Located in Encino, CA
Willy Eisenschitz, "Provence View", "Paysage de Provence" Pastel on paper Measures: H 23" 1/2 x 30" 1/2 x 1/2" with frame H 17" 3/4 x 23" 3/4 (visibl...
Paper
Set of 16 Large Original Antique Exotic Bird Prints, 1830s
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great set of bird prints Lithographs after the drawings by Cpt. brown. Original hand color. Unframed The measurement given below is for one print.
Paper
$2,750
H 24 in W 18 in D 0.1 in
"Contemplation, " Brilliantly-Hued Pastel Drawing of Standing Male Nude by Cox
By Allyn Cox
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sensuous and vividly-hued, this pastel drawing of a standing male nude with his head resting against the wall was made by Allyn Cox, son of the famous muralist Kenyon Cox...
Paper
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.5 in W 12 in D 0.1 in
"Standing Male Nude, " Pastel Drawing by Allyn Cox, US Capitol Muralist
By Allyn Cox
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautifully executed in warm, roseate colors -- coral, terra cotta, brick and ivory -- this drawing was made by Allyn Cox, probably as a study for one of many murals he was commissioned to paint at the US Capitol...
Paper
Three Antique Hand Colored Engravings of Birds
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Three 18th century hand colored engravings of parrot specimens as depicted by Peter Brown, an artist and naturalist, working in London England. Originally published in 1776 in a foli...
Paper
$7,993 / set
H 14.57 in W 13 in D 0.4 in
Large Set of Framed Late 18th Century Bird Prints by Martinet
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Fabulous collection of thirteen 18th Century French ornithological engravings by Francois Nicolas Martinet [1726-1804]. They are mounted behind glass in simple black wooden frames. ...
Wood, Paper
Pair Of Hand Colored Engravings Of Parrots
Located in Essex, MA
Two framed hand colored stipple engravings of parrots by Jacques Barraband published 1801-05. In beautifully matted and gilded frames. From Judy Cormier. One print with some foxing.
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Rare Engraving by William Home Lizars Circa 1826 Hand Colored
By William Home Lizars
Located in Hudson, NY
[VASCULAR] Lymphatic nodes and vessels of the leg. Rare, circa 1826, first edition anatomical engraving by William Home Lizars (1788-1859) the talented Edinburgh artist and head of...
Paper
Pair Jacques Barraband Hand Colored Ornithological Bird Prints
By Jacques Barraband
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Enchanting pair of 19th century hand-colored stipple engravings of parakeets by French illustrator Jacques Barraband (French 1767-1809). Each print is mounted and framed with a giltw...
Acrylic, Giltwood, Paper
Set of 12 Original Antique Prints of Exotic Birds, C.1880.
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful bird prints Chromo-lithographs Published by Cassell, C.1880 The measurement shown relates to one of the prints Unframed. Free shipping
Paper
Edward Edwards R.A. Landscape Engraving, 1790
Located in Savannah, GA
Edward Edwards R.A. (English, 1738-1806) landscape engraving, published 1790 Paper: 6 by 4 ½ inches frame: 9 ½ by 9 ¼ inches
Glass, Wood, Paper
18th Century Hand Colored Engravings by George Edwards, Set of 2
By George Edwards
Located in Ross, CA
Set of two hand colored engravings by George Edwards (English, 1694-1773). Professionally framed and matted in linen.
Paper
!8th-century Engraved Prints of Parrots by George Edwards
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
A Cabinet of Curiosities: Set of Twelve George Edwards Parrot Engraving, Dated circa 1744–1745 This extraordinary suite of twelve framed artworks features original, hand-colored eng...
Paper
Sold
H 16.34 in W 13.78 in D 0.99 in
12 ANTIQUE 1740 GEORGE EDWARDS HAND COLOURED ORNITHOLOGICAL ENGRAVINGS OF BIRDs
By George Edwards
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare suite of Twelve original 1740-1760 dated hand water coloured prints after George Edwards 169...
Paper
The Cock Padda or Rice-Bird by George Edwards, 1743-1751
By George Edwards
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Hand colored ornithological copper plate engraving titled "The Cock Padda or Rice-Bird" by George Edwards (1694-1773), printed on laid paper. This engraving is plate 41 from "A Natur...
Paper
Sterling Silver Candelabra - Pair Sheffield 1910
By George Edwards
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : A pair of two branch candelabra Date : Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1910 for George Edward & Sons - all four sconces, arms, and bases fully hallmarked RD 566338 Period : Edwa...
Silver
Sold
H 17.19 in W 14.25 in D 0.75 in
George Edwards Set of Twelve Parrot Engravings with Chinoiserie Frames
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Edwards Set of Twelve Parrot Engravings with chinoiserie Frames, Natural History of Birds, Engraved by Georg Dionysius Ehret, Mid-18th cent...
Paper
George Edwards Prints of Parrots with Decoupage Frames
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Edwards prints of parrots with decoupage frames, The engraver Georg Dionysius Ehret, Set of six, circa 1745-1750 The George Edwards engra...
Paper
18th Century George Edwards Engravings of a Woodpecker
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Edwards engravings of a bird, Woodpecker, Picus Bengalensis, #82, 1745 A George Edwards hand-colored engraving of a Woodpecker in a d...
Paper
George Edwards Engravings of Birds, a Set of Six
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Edwards engravings of birds- A set of Six The George Edwards engravings of six different birds in their natural environment are now mounted in a decoupage frame. Dimens...
Paper
George Edwards Prints of Parrots with Decoupage Frames
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Edwards prints of parrots with decoupage frames, The Engraver Georg Dionysius Ehret, Circa 1745-50 The George Edwards engravings of twelve...
Paper
George Edwards Engravings of Birds, Set of Twelve, circa 1740-1760
By George Edwards
Located in Downingtown, PA
George Edwards engravings of birds, Set of twelve, circa 1740-1760. Twelve different bird engravings within handmade decoupage frames with original hand colouring. The follow...
Paper
Sold
H 30.32 in W 82.68 in D 49.61 in
Antique Victorian Pollard Oak Rollover Snooker or Dining Table 19th Century
By George Edwards
Located in London, GB
There is no mistaking the style and sophisticated design of this exquisite and rare English Victorian Pollard oak revolving (or rollover) snooker dining table...
Mahogany, Oak