1737
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Black Muray (Muraenae helenae varietas) is a 1737 ink by Mark Catesby, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a black, scaly eel wrapped around a cluster of golden seaweed fronds. The eel’s head is pointed downward, almost buried in the base of the plant. The seaweed looks tangled but precise, with fine lines marking each strand. The background is plain, letting the eel and seaweed stand out clearly. The artist used a mix of black and gold to highlight the eel’s texture and the seaweed’s delicate structure. This kind of careful detail was common in scientific illustrations of the time. Next, look up technique: etching to see how artists like Catesby created these sharp, precise lines.
Mark Catesby (24 March 1683 – 23 December 1749) was an English naturalist who studied the flora and fauna of the New World.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
