Skip to main content

Mark Catesby Art

English, 1682-1749
Mark Catesby (24 March 1683 – 23 December 1749) was an English naturalist. Between 1729 and 1747 Catesby published his Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, the first published account of the flora and fauna of North America. It included 220 plates of birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, mammals and plants. Mark Catesby's The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands is generally credited as the first published work to provide illustrations and descriptions of North American flora and fauna. From 1722-1726 Catesby, an English naturalist, ranged over South Carolina, Georgia and the Bahamas sketching and collecting specimens of native plants and animals. Little is known of Catesby's early life. He was born in eastern England in 1683. Although Catesby does not appear to have attended university or studied for the Bar, he was sufficiently educated to write clear English and Latin. His interest in and knowledge of plants may have derived from his uncle, who maintained a botanical garden. Catesby also appears to have benefited from an acquaintance with John Ray, a leading English naturalist of the 17th century and the co-author of an early classic study of birds. It is unclear when or how Catesby developed his skills as an artist. Catesby's first visit to North America occurred in 1712 when he traveled to Williamsburg, Virginia, to live with his sister and her husband, who had settled there. During his seven-year stay, he explored the length of the James River sketching plants and collecting botanical samples. Upon Catesby's return to England in 1719, his work in Virginia drew the attention of several influential members of the Royal Society. And with their financial backing, Catesby returned to North America three years later, arriving in Charleston in May 1722. During his four-year stay, he traveled throughout South Carolina, coastal Georgia and to the Bahamas. The sketches and specimens Catesby gathered during his second North American trip formed the basis for The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands. Although most often found as a two-volume set, Catesby's Natural History was published in 11 discrete sections from 1734-1747 and sold by subscription. Although Catesby died in 1749, his work was republished in 1754 and again in 1771. Catesby's work predated the classification system developed by Swedish botanist Carl Linneaus. However, the 1771 edition, featured here, includes a catalog of the Linnean names for the plants and animals Catesby featured in Natural History.
to
1
1
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
8,923
2,810
2,504
1,339
1
2
Artist: Mark Catesby
Putorius & Pseudo Phalangium (The Pole-Cat) (Skunk) /// Mark Catesby Animal Art
By Mark Catesby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Mark Catesby (English, 1638-1749) Title: "Putorius & Pseudo Phalangium (The Pole-Cat) (Skunk)" (Plate/Tab 62) Portfolio: Natural History of Carolina, Florida & the Bahama Islands *Monogram signed by Catesby in the plate (printed signature) lower right Year: 1771-1810 (third edition) Medium: Original Hand-Colored Etching on cream J. Ruse handmade paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: Unknown Publisher: Benjamin White, London, UK Framing: Recently framed in a black and gold moulding with 100% cotton linen fabric matting Framed size: 21.63" x 25.19" Sheet size: 13.75" x 21.13" Platemark size: 10.25" x 13.75" Condition: UV staining to sheet and mat stain in margins. Some soft handling creases. In otherwise good condition Very rare Notes: Provenance: private collection - Miami, FL. Comes from Catesby's famous two volume portfolio "Natural History of Carolina, Florida & the Bahama Islands" (1771-1810) (third edition), which consists of 220 hand-colored etchings. "J. Ruse 1800" watermark lower right. Mark Catesby's The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands is generally credited as the first published work to provide illustrations and descriptions of North American flora and fauna. From 1722-1726 Catesby, an English naturalist, ranged over South Carolina, Georgia and the Bahamas sketching and collecting specimens of native plants and animals. Skunks are North and South American mammals in the family Mephitidae. While related to polecats and other members of the weasel family, skunks have as their closest Old World relatives the stink badgers. The animals are known for their ability to spray a liquid with a strong, unpleasant scent. Biography: Mark Catesby (24 March 1683 – 23 December 1749) was an English naturalist. Between 1729 and 1747 Catesby published his Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, the first published account of the flora and fauna of North America. It included 220 plates of birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, mammals and plants. Mark Catesby's The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands is generally credited as the first published work to provide illustrations and descriptions of North American flora and fauna. From 1722-1726 Catesby, an English naturalist, ranged over South Carolina, Georgia and the Bahamas sketching and collecting specimens of native plants and animals. Little is known of Catesby's early life. He was born in eastern England in 1683. Although Catesby does not appear to have attended university or studied for the Bar, he was sufficiently educated to write clear English and Latin. His interest in and knowledge of plants may have derived from his uncle, who maintained a botanical garden. Catesby also appears to have benefited from an acquaintance with John Ray, a leading English naturalist of the 17th century and the co-author of an early classic study of birds...
Category

1770s Baroque Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Watercolor, Handmade Paper, Etching, Intaglio

18th Century Catesby Hand-colored Bird & Plant Engraving "The Crested Titmous"
By Mark Catesby
Located in Alamo, CA
A hand-colored copperplate engraving of a bird and plants by Mark Catesby (1683-1749) entitled "The Crested Titmous" from "The Natural History of Carolina, Georgia, Florida and the Bahama Islands", published in 1731. It depicts a small Crested Titmous bird, facing left, perched on the stem of a plant with clusters of mauve colored star-like flowers. This original Catesby hand-colored engraving, on laid paper with a large central Fleur-de-Lys watermark, is presented in a cream color French mat. The mat measures 20" x 15.5" and the sheet measures 18.75" x 14.75". Mark Catesby was born in England to a prosperous family, but he traveled to America, first to visit his sister and her husband in 1712. From 1712 to 1719 he explored America observing its birds and plants, taking notes, creating drawings and collecting specimens. He returned to England with this material and created more detailed drawings. His next visit to America 1722-1726 allowed for more detailed research. Upon his return to England he created his monumental and beautiful work "The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and Bahama Islands", which was published in London in two folio volumes of 11 parts each consisting of 20 plates...
Category

Mid-18th Century Naturalistic Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Engraving

Related Items
Black Horse
By Tokuriki Tomikichiro
Located in Middletown, NY
circa 1950. Woodblock print in black and gray ink on Japon laid paper, 10 1/4 x 15 3/4 inches (260 x 398 mm), full margins. With the artist's embossed chop mark in red ink in the l...
Category

Mid-20th Century Edo Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Handmade Paper, Woodcut

John Gould & Henry Constantine Richter Birds of Asia Temminck's Tragopan Print
By John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter
Located in Plainview, NY
A large print of John Gould & Henry Constantine Richter of Temminck's Tragopan from his published book " Birds of Asia ". John Gould was influenced by James Audubon paintings of bi...
Category

20th Century Naturalistic Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Handmade Paper

English victorian Gentlemen playing Crown Bowls
By Cecil Charles Windsor Aldin, R.B.A.
Located in Woodbury, CT
Cecil Charles Windsor Aldin, was a British artist and illustrator best known for his paintings and sketches of animals, sports, and rural life. Aldin executed village scenes and rura...
Category

Early 1900s Victorian Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Lithograph, Handmade Paper

Mid-Century Original Printed Menu, Transatlantic French Line, 'Ile de France'.
Located in Cotignac, FR
Mid-century French transatlantic liner menu with printed illustration by French artist Jean Adrien Mercier. Signed in the print, top left and dated 1956 inside centre. This highly c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Baroque Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Paper, Printer's Ink

Bloodhound, early 19th century English dog engraving
By Philip Reinagle
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'Blood Hound' Copper-line engraving by J Scott (1774-1827) after Philip Reinagle (1749-1815), 1803. Philip Reinagle was one of the best of the sporti...
Category

Early 19th Century Naturalistic Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Engraving

Salvador Dalì (1904-1989) - The Elephant and Jupiter's Monkey - Drypoint etching
By Salvador Dalí­
Located in Varese, IT
Rare deluxe issue printed on extremely fine Japanese paper (hand colored in stencil). Limited edition, numbered 235/250 in lower left corner. Signed in pencil by artist in lower rig...
Category

1970s Surrealist Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Drypoint, Etching

Butterfly on White Background (Silhouette, Nature, Floral, Baroque, ~38% OFF)
By Agent X
Located in Kansas City, MO
Agent X Butterfly on White Background (Silhouette, Nature, Flowers, Floral, Vibrant, Baroque) Year: 2025 Archival Pigment Print with Archival Inks on 240 gsm Hahnemuehle Paper Size: ...
Category

2010s Baroque Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Digital

Lizard Tongues and Tears, nude male and lizard, mostly monochromatic w green
By Jenny Toth
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The image is 8 x 8 inches, and the paper it is printed on is 15 x 13.5 inches. This is a quirky and tender image of a naked man sitting on the floor holding a giant iguana on his la...
Category

2010s Feminist Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Etching, Watercolor

Barnacle Geese Affrighted
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching and drypoint on cream wove paper, full margins. Signed and numbered 59/75 in pencil, lower margin. Notations in pencil along the lower sheet edge, recto, well outside of ima...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Handmade Paper, Drypoint, Etching

Etching - Cat Woman Pastel Watercolor and Acrylic Anthropomorphic Cat
By Ana May
Located in Houston, TX
Bright and lively etching colored with watercolor, pastel and acrylics of an anthropomorphic cat-woman by Mexican artist Ana May, 2012. Signed lower right. Original artwork on paper...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Other Art Style Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Paper, Etching, Pastel, Acrylic, Watercolor

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...
Category

18th Century Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Watercolor, Etching

Capital Tanager, 18th century bird engraving by John Latham
By John Latham
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Copper-line engraving. 1781. From John Latham's 'General Synopsis of Birds' 1781-1785, and its Supplements. Plate number top left. Laid paper. John Latham was the leading English or...
Category

Late 18th Century Naturalistic Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Engraving

Previously Available Items
The Loggerhead Turtle
By Mark Catesby
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
An original hand-colored copper plate etching on handmade laid paper by English artist Mark Catesby (1638-1749) titled "The Loggerhead Turtle", (plat...
Category

1750s Baroque Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Watercolor, Etching

The Razor-billed Blackbird of Jamaica, hand-colored engraving, 1754
By Mark Catesby
Located in Paonia, CO
Mark Catesby ( 1683-1749 ) "The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands" The Razor-billed Blackbird of Jamaica hand-colored engraving, 1754 paper size...
Category

1750s Mark Catesby Art

Materials

Engraving

Mark Catesby art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Mark Catesby art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of orange and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Mark Catesby in etching, paint, watercolor and more. Not every interior allows for large Mark Catesby art, so small editions measuring 16 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Samuel Sydney, Walter Crane, and Johan Christoph Volkhamer. Mark Catesby art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $750 and tops out at $2,950, while the average work can sell for $2,885.

Artists Similar to Mark Catesby

Recently Viewed

View All