1737
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Lyon Lizard (Lacerta 6-lineata) is a 1737 ink by Mark Catesby, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a plant with long, waxy leaves and a yellow flower cluster at the top. Underneath, a small lizard clings to a branch, and the roots spread out at the bottom. The colors are mostly green, yellow, and brown, with careful shading. The artist included tiny details like the lizard’s claws and the plant’s veins. This was part of a book about nature, where plants and animals were drawn carefully for study. Look up etching to see how artists like this made precise, detailed prints.
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
