Artwork
The Lyon Lizard (Lacerta 6-lineata)
The Lyon Lizard (Lacerta 6-lineata) 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 Lyon Lizard (Lacerta 6-lineata) 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 seminal work, Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands (1729-1747), the first published natural history account of North America.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a lizard (Lacerta 6-lineata) perched on a plant with long, pointed leaves, thick stem, visible roots, and small yellow flowers, set against a predominantly green and brown palette. Unusually for the time, the illustration combines both a specific animal species and its associated flora in a single scene, reflecting Catesby’s holistic approach to documenting North American wildlife.
Technique & Style
The work showcases Catesby’s use of etching and engraving techniques, enhanced by meticulous hand coloring. The detailed rendering of both the lizard and the plant reflects his attention to scientific accuracy, characteristic of early 18th-century natural history illustrations.
History & Provenance
Produced in 1737, The Lyon Lizard was part of Catesby’s groundbreaking Natural History project, published in installments from 1729 to 1747. As part of this series, the plate contributed to the first comprehensive, illustrated record of North American flora and fauna.
Context
Catesby’s work, including The Lyon Lizard, was pivotal in introducing European audiences to the biodiversity of North America during the colonial era. His approach, combining detailed illustrations with descriptions, set a standard for subsequent natural history studies.
Legacy
The Lyon Lizard, as part of Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, has left a lasting legacy in the fields of natural history, botany, and herpetology, influencing future scientific illustrators and researchers with its innovative, comprehensive approach to documenting ecosystems.
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.
