1737
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Green Lizard of Jamaica (Lacerta bullaris) is a 1737 ink by Mark Catesby, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a lizard perched on a branch with bright yellow flowers and clusters of pink buds. The leaves are large and green, and the whole scene looks carefully drawn. The lizard has a red spot near its head and a long tail. The artist added tiny details like buds and seeds to make the plant look real. This kind of drawing was often used to study nature back then. Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this made precise prints.
Mark Catesby (24 March 1683 – 23 December 1749) was an English naturalist who studied the flora and fauna of the New World.
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