Who painted The Pied-billed Dobchick (Colymbus podiceps)?

The Pied-billed Dobchick (Colymbus podiceps) was painted by Mark Catesby in 1737.

Where can I see The Pied-billed Dobchick (Colymbus podiceps)?

The Pied-billed Dobchick (Colymbus podiceps) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Pied-billed Dobchick (Colymbus podiceps)?

The Pied-billed Dobchick (Colymbus podiceps) is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of The Pied-billed Dobchick (Colymbus podiceps)?

Museum-quality prints of The Pied-billed Dobchick (Colymbus podiceps) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Pied-billed Dobchick (Colymbus podiceps)

Mark Catesby , 1737

The Pied-billed Dobchick (Colymbus podiceps) is an ink print by the Baroque artist Mark Catesby. It dates from 1737 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Pied-billed Dobchick (Colymbus podiceps) is a hand-colored print created by Mark Catesby in 1737 using etching and engraving techniques on laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts the pied-billed grebe, a diving bird native to North America, showcasing its distinctive brown plumage, short beak, and webbed feet. The image is labeled with the bird's scientific name, Colymbus podiceps, an outdated classification.

Technique & Style

Catesby employed careful lines to render the bird's feathers and the surrounding water, achieved through a combination of etching and engraving. The print's texture and detail demonstrate the artist's skill in creating nuanced, naturalistic representations.

Context

This work is part of Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, a comprehensive documentation of North American flora and fauna published between 1729 and 1747.