The Logger-head Turtle (Testudo Cavanna)
1737
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1737
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Logger-head Turtle (Testudo Cavanna) is a 1737 ink by Mark Catesby, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This is a drawing of a turtle floating on water. Its shell is detailed with tiny lines showing each scute, or plate. The water around it is textured like waves, and a piece of driftwood peeks out from the bottom right corner. The turtle’s head is turned slightly, giving it a calm look. The artist used careful shading to make the shell look three-dimensional. Next, look up etching to see how this technique works.
