Who painted Pygmy Anteater?

Pygmy Anteater was painted by George Edwards in 1755.

Where can I see Pygmy Anteater?

Pygmy Anteater is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Pygmy Anteater?

Pygmy Anteater is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Pygmy Anteater?

Museum-quality prints of Pygmy Anteater are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Pygmy Anteater

George Edwards , 1755

Pygmy Anteater is an ink print by the Romanticist artist George Edwards. It dates from 1755 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:across center in plate: An Animal from the Spanish Main in America / Drawn near of the Natural Size; lower right in plate: Geo Edwards Delin et Sculp AD 1755.; lower center in plate: 220

About this work

Overview

Executed on laid paper, the print measures a modest size and was originally intended for inclusion in a natural‑history volume.

George Edwards’ hand‑colored etching titled Pygmy Anteater dates from 1755. Executed on laid paper, the print measures a modest size and was originally intended for inclusion in a natural‑history volume. The image depicts a diminutive, fur‑covered mammal with an elongated snout, perched on a twisted branch and surrounded by foliage, illustrating the artist’s interest in cataloguing exotic species.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays a small anteater, likely a species now known as the silky anteater, shown climbing a gnarled branch. Its curled tail and grasping claws emphasize its arboreal habits, while the surrounding leaves suggest a tropical habitat. By rendering the creature in a naturalistic pose, Edwards aimed to convey both scientific observation and the animal’s delicate adaptation to its environment.

Technique & Style

Edwards employed a fine etching line to render the animal’s fur and the bark’s texture, then applied hand‑applied color washes to differentiate fur, foliage, and background. The use of laid paper provides a subtle ribbed surface that enhances line definition. The meticulous cross‑hatching and delicate shading reflect the 18th‑century tradition of illustrative precision in natural history prints.

History & Provenance

Created for inclusion in a contemporary zoological publication, the etching bears a small inscription at its base indicating its source from an animal book. Copies of the print circulated among scholars and collectors of natural history in the mid‑1700s, and surviving examples are now held in several museum and library collections that specialize in early scientific illustration.