The Ribbon Snake (Coluber saurita)

published 1731-1743

Mark Catesby

Associated Names
Mark Catesby

Artist, English, 1679 - 1749

The image shows a branch with green leaves and red and green berries, accompanied by a coiled snake at the bottom right. The color palette includes green, red, brown, and subtle yellow tones. The branch spreads out in all directions, with the snake positioned under the lower branches.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and engraving with hand coloring on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Collection of Dr. and Mrs. George Benjamin Green

  • Dimensions

    plate: 35.1 x 25.9 cm (13 13/16 x 10 3/16 in.)
    sheet: 51.1 x 34.6 cm (20 1/8 x 13 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1991.163.76

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Natural History, Vol. vol.2, no. 50


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Dr. and Mrs. George Benjamin Green, Virginia; gift to NGA, 1991.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1771

  • Catesby, Mark. The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands. London: 1771.

Inscriptions

lower right in plate: MC; lower left in plate: Calyculato. &c.; lower right in plate: Anguis &c.; upper right in plate: 50

Watermarks

fleur-de-lis

Wikidata ID

Q74895008

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