Centipede (Scolopendra morsitans)

published 1731-1743

Mark Catesby

Associated Names
Mark Catesby

Artist, English, 1679 - 1749

The image shows a botanical illustration of a plant with large green leaves, intricate yellow flowers, and brown stems, set against a pale background. The color palette consists of rich greens, muted yellows, and earthy browns. At the bottom, there is a segmented, brown millipede across the width, while clusters of yellow flowers are seen on the stems and leaves. The central arrangement of the leaves and flowers creates balance, with the millipede providing contrast at the base.

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: 35.9 x 26.2 cm (14 1/8 x 10 5/16 in.)
    sheet: 48.9 x 32.5 cm (19 1/4 x 12 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1991.163.84

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Natural History, Vol. appendix, no. 2

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 (at base of stem): MC; upper left in brown ink: 2

Wikidata ID

Q74895058

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