The Small Bittern (Ardea virescens)

published 1754

Mark Catesby

Associated Names
Mark Catesby

Artist, English, 1679 - 1749

This is a drawing of a bird perched on a branch. The bird has dark, earthy coloration with greenish tones on its back and a brownish chest. It has a tuft of feathers on its head, a long, pointed beak, yellowish legs and feet. The branch is surrounded by elongated leaves and seed pods. In the background, there is a water body with a small landform and grass. The drawing features detailed feathers and botanical elements, resembling classical ornithological illustrations.

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: 26.4 x 35.2 cm (10 3/8 x 13 7/8 in.)
    sheet: 29.1 x 41.1 cm (11 7/16 x 16 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1991.163.95

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Natural History, Vol. vol.1, no. 80

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

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

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2007

  • Fabulous Journeys and Faraway Places: Travels on Paper, 1450 - 1700, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 2007

Bibliography

1771

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

Inscriptions

lower center in plate: MC; lower left in plate: Ardea Stellaris; lower center in plate: Fracinus &c.; upper left in plate: T.80; by later hand, lower center in graphite: Marc Catesby - London. 1754 The Small Bittern. 40-

Watermarks

IHS IVILLEDARY

Wikidata ID

Q74895135

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