18th Century Etching Mark Catesby the Fishing Hawk (Osprey)

Details

Description

This hand-colored copperplate engraving of “The Fishing Hawk” or Osprey is by Mark Catesby from his landmark book: The Natural … Read more This hand-colored copperplate engraving of “The Fishing Hawk” or Osprey is by Mark Catesby from his landmark book: The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands. The Fishing Hawk was the second plate (T 2) produced in the the first volume. Catesby preceded John James Audubon in the documentation of native America birds. The Fishing Hawk is notable for its drama with the fish included. Audubon also included this dramatic effect in his portrayal of the Osprey, probably having seen Catesby’s earlier version.

Mark Catesby was born in 1683 at Castle Hedingham in England to a prosperous family. He accompanied his sister (Mrs. Elizabeth Catesby Cocke) and her children to Virginia in 1712. He collected plants and seeds that he sent back, in addition to sketching and painting plants and birds. During this stay, Catesby traveled to Jamaica and Bermuda, before returning to England in 1719. He returned to South Carolina in 1721 with backing from members of the Royal Society. During this trip, he explored South Carolina and the Bahamas. Upon his return to England, he proposed to create a book with his drawings and commentary. He published it as a series with each part containing 20 color plates ultimately resulting in two volumes and an appendix. Catesby self-funded the project with help from friends. The first edition was published from 1729 to 1747. According to the Curious Mister Catesby by Charles Nelson and David J. Elliott, the first edition likely went to about 180 subscribers. After Catesby’s death in 1749, his friend and fellow naturalist George Edwards guided a second edition to press in 1754 using the same plates. The plates of the second edition tend to be more colorful, perhaps the influence of Edwards. A third edition was published in 1771 by Benjamin White, again using the original prints. This edition is also more colorful than the first and was published into the early 19th century. Finally, there were editions made in other European countries.

Provenance: This engraving was purchased from the Old Print Shop in New York. See less