1737
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Hog-nose Snake (Boa contortrix) is a 1737 ink by Mark Catesby, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
The painting depicts a snake coiled around a plant with yellow flowers. The snake has a brown body with black spots and yellow stripes on its back. The plant has long, thin leaves and stems, with three flowers that are open and one that is closed. The flowers are yellow with orange and red spots. The painting is done in a detailed and realistic style, with intricate textures and patterns on the snake's skin and the plant's leaves. The colors are muted, with shades of brown, green, and yellow dominating the palette. The painting is an example of Baroque art, characterized by its use of detailed realism and dramatic lighting. To learn more about this style, look up the Baroque movement.
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 page
