Artwork
The Guana (Lacerta Iguana)
The Guana (Lacerta Iguana) 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 Guana (Lacerta Iguana) is a print created by Mark Catesby in 1737, combining etching, engraving, and hand coloring on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a green iguana perched on a branch, surrounded by regional flora, including a round fruit and large green leaves. The detailed representation of the lizard and its environment reflects Catesby's documentation of North American species.
Technique & Style
Catesby employed careful shading to convey texture, particularly on the lizard's skin and the fruit. The use of etching and engraving allowed for precise lines, while hand coloring added depth to the image.
Context
This print is part of Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, a comprehensive documentation of regional flora and fauna published between 1729 and 1747.
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.
