1737
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Ribbon Snake (Coluber saurita) is a 1737 ink by Mark Catesby, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a plant with long, waxy leaves in shades of green and yellow. Small clusters of red and yellow berries hang from the branches. Curled around the stem is a coiled snake, its body tight and detailed. The snake is the star here—its scales and position make it stand out against the plant. This kind of careful drawing was used to study nature closely. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this made precise, layered 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
