T. 7 - Mark Catesby - Framed art Print

Mark Catesby was an artist, a researcher, and a naturalist, whose work has remained unmatched as a scientific reference point for many years. He was born on March 24, 1683, and died on December 23, 1749. His most striking images dodge complete realism, offering instead slightly fantastical visuals: a flamingo showcasing unbelievably red feathers against a tender coral reef backdrop, or a spotted fish meandering between two floating plants with sky-touching branches. Unarguably, his artistic approach resulted in nature depictions that were both a replica of reality and an intricately layered composition.

Fuelled by a relentless sense of adventure and an insatiable curiosity for the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, Catesby embarked on a journey from his London residence to South Carolina. He landed in Virginia in 1712 and spent the subsequent seven years meticulously sketching and studying the region's natural resources, amassing plant samples, and collecting birds, shells, and other specimens to send back to England. His journey then took him to South Carolina and the Bahamas (1722-26), where he gathered more specimens.

This epic journey of Catesby led him to uncharted territories, discovering species unseen in England, such as birds with vibrant green spots, stunning wild lilies, or frogs adorned with yellow and red stripes. Importantly, his etchings serve as a lasting memory of species that have sadly gone extinct, like the Carolina parakeet and the ivory-billed woodpecker.