The Towhe Bird (Fringilla erythrophthalma)

published 1754

Mark Catesby

Associated Names
Mark Catesby

Artist, English, 1679 - 1749

This is a painting of two birds perched on green leaves. The upper bird has a black body with accents of orange and red on its side, identified as "The Towhe Bird" in the text below, while the lower bird appears in darker brown and sandy tones, labeled as "The cow-pen Bird." Both birds are depicted with realistic detail, showing the intricate feather patterns and nuanced coloring. The background is a plain off-white, which helps the vibrant green of the leaves and the birds' contrasting colors to stand out. The leaves are illustrated with fine veining and a naturalistic structure. The style suggests a traditional natural history illustration, where the subject is rendered with scientific precision and an emphasis on clarity.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

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 26.2 cm (13 13/16 x 10 5/16 in.)
    sheet: 42.5 x 29.2 cm (16 3/4 x 11 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1991.163.86

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Natural History, Vol. vol.1, no. 34


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 left in plate: Passer niger, Occulis rubris. / The To-whe Bird.; lower right in plate: Passer fusca. / The cow-pen Bird.; upper center in plate: Populus nigra folio maximo &c.; upper left in plate: T.34.; by later hand, lower right in graphite: Marc Catesby - London - 1754 55-

Watermarks

fleur-de-lis in a shield

Wikidata ID

Q74895063

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