Avis Tricolor, The Painted Finch

Dateca. 1731

Artist/Maker Mark Catesby (1683 - 1749)

MediumHand-colored etching

DimensionsOH: 20 1/2" OW: 14 7/16" Plate H: 13 3/4" Plate W: 10 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1953-807

DescriptionPrint: Bird and Foliage, once was illustratred page in book.
Label TextCromwell Mortimer, Secretary to the Royal Society, commented on the coloring of the first edition of Mark Catesby’s Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, noting that “all the illuminated sets were colour’d under his Directions, and all touch’d up and finish’d by his own Hand.” The subtle coloring of the example published in the first edition reflects his sensibilities. Catesby’s publication was revised and re-issued in 1754 and again in 1771. Another printing of the third edition was issued in the early 19th century. The colors found on the later edition prints tend to be brighter and more opaque.

Seligmann’s print of the painted finch was taken from Mark Catesby’s Natural History for use in a German variation entitled, Collection of Various Foreign and Rare Birds. Catesby’s works received such wide acclaim from Continental naturalists that versions were published in English (accompanied by French text), German, and Dutch.

MarkingsJ Whatman 1815
ProvenancePurchase from The Dietz Press Inc. in Richmond, VA.