Artwork
The Grey Fox Squirrel (Sciurus cinereus)
The Grey Fox Squirrel (Sciurus cinereus) 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 Grey Fox Squirrel (Sciurus cinereus) is a hand-colored etching and engraving on laid paper, created by English naturalist Mark Catesby in 1737. It is one of 220 plates from his *Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands*, a seminal work documenting North American wildlife.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a grey fox squirrel engaging with its environment, nibbling on a plant with bright orange, star-shaped flowers. The scene conveys Catesby’s firsthand observations of the New World’s natural habitat, emphasizing the species’ interaction with flora.
Technique & Style
Catesby combined etching and engraving techniques with meticulous hand coloring. Tiny strokes render the squirrel’s thick, gray fur with texture, while sharp, precise lines define the surrounding leaves and flowers, blending artistic expression with scientific accuracy.
History & Provenance
Produced between 1729 and 1747, this plate was part of Catesby’s groundbreaking *Natural History* series, the first comprehensive natural history account of the region. The work reflects his pioneering approach to documenting American flora and fauna.
Context
Created during the Enlightenment, when scientific curiosity and exploration flourished, *The Grey Fox Squirrel* embodies the era’s emphasis on empirical observation and detailed natural history illustration.
Legacy
As part of Catesby’s *Natural History*, the print contributed significantly to the field of natural history, influencing later naturalists and illustrators with its precise, observation-based depictions of North American species.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mark Catesby (24 March 1683 – 23 December 1749) was an English naturalist who studied the flora and fauna of the New World.
