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.
$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
$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
$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
George Venson Original Illustration
By George Venson
Located in New York, NY
The title of this original illustration by the artist George Venson is "Jumping Ship: An Illustration of the Way I See Things Right Now". It is a...
Paper, Gouache
Signed Ink Drawing by Henry de Waroquier, France 1930s
By Henry de Waroquier
Located in New York, NY
Niobe Greek mythology theme signed, 1938 framed (1 chip off on frame finish).
Drawing by Jean-Baptiste Le Prince, 1760
By Jean Baptist Le Prince
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A black ink and sepia wash drawing by French artist Jean-Baptiste Le Prince of a classical scene of Roman soldiers with camel signed and dated lower left. T...
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
$235
H 26.5 in W 32 in D 0.75 in
Mid Century 1950s German Castle River Landscape Pastel Painting Drawing
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century 1950s framed German pastel painting of a hilly landscape by a river centered on a stone castle or chateau and farmhouse. Purchased in the 50s in Frankfurt. Measures: 3...
Paint
Original pen drawing by HARRY BERTOIA, Bushes, 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
UNTITLED (BUSHES), CA. 1960 Black ink on Strathmore-Velin H 21 W 27.8 (excl. frame) With certificate of authenticity of the estate Harry Bertoia by Celia Bertoia, Utah, 01.06.2022 (i...
Paper
$1,224
H 33.5 in W 25.5 in D 0.59 in
Pastel and Pencil Aviation Drawing by Riccardo Cavigioli Depicting an Albatros
By Riccardo Cavigioli
Located in Milan, IT
Pastel and pencil drawing by Riccardo Cavigioli depicting a single-seat biplane fighter Albatros DV A, employed since July 1917 and produced in numerous exemplars till May 1918. Airc...
Paper
$5,766Sale Price|25% Off
H 11.82 in W 8.27 in D 0.79 in
Original Drawing by Javier Calleja (1971), Frances
Located in Berlin, DE
Javier Calleja (1971) Untitled (Frances) 2017 Pencil and colored pencil on paper, signed, dated, and titled (under mat) 11.9 x 8.2 in / 30 x 21 cm Framed in oak In impeccable conditi...
Paper
$413
H 23.75 in W 31.5 in D 0.79 in
WWI Antique Aircraft Water-Color and Pastel Drawing by Riccardo Cavigioli
By Riccardo Cavigioli
Located in Milan, IT
Drawing in mixed technique, water-color and pastel depicting a WWI airplane, by Riccardo Cavigioli. Measure with frame cm 80x60.3. Riccardo Cavigioli was born in Milan on 10th Nov...
Paper
Glamorous Woman with Dogs, Pastel Drawing by artist T Cart
Located in Pomona, CA
Pastel drawing of a glamorous woman sitting with three small adorable dogs on her side.
Paper
George Price Legendary New Yorker Cartoonist "Quack" Original Drawing
Located in Sharon, CT
Depicting a duck hunter in a boat dressed as a decoy, the caption reading "Quack". Drawn with pencil on illustration board and tracing paper (overlay) in p...
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
A Well-Executed Set of Hand-Colored Bird Engravings by George Edwards
By George Edwards
Located in San Francisco, CA
A well-executed set of 5 English hand-colored bird engravings by George Edwards; later french mattes and custom giltwood frames