Who painted The Red Clawed Crab (Cancer erythropus)?

The Red Clawed Crab (Cancer erythropus) was painted by Mark Catesby in 1737.

Where can I see The Red Clawed Crab (Cancer erythropus)?

The Red Clawed Crab (Cancer erythropus) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Red Clawed Crab (Cancer erythropus)?

The Red Clawed Crab (Cancer erythropus) is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Red Clawed Crab (Cancer erythropus)

Mark Catesby , 1737

The Red Clawed Crab (Cancer erythropus) 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. Created in 1737, this print depicts a red‑clawed crab alongside a yellow, seaweed‑like plant.

About this work

The artist used a mix of etching and hand coloring to create this precise image.

This image shows a red-clawed crab and a yellow seaweed-like plant. The crab is detailed with sharp claws and a textured shell. The plant has long, branching tendrils that spread across the page.

The artist used a mix of etching and hand coloring to create this precise image. It was published between 1731 and 1743 as part of a larger work about nature. The colors are bright but simple, focusing on accuracy over decoration.

Look up Catesby, Mark to see more of his scientific illustrations.

Overview

Created in 1737, this print depicts a red‑clawed crab alongside a yellow, seaweed‑like plant. Executed on laid paper, the image combines etched lines with hand‑applied color, emphasizing anatomical detail over decorative flourish.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a crab with pronounced claws and a textured carapace, rendered to illustrate its distinctive morphology. The accompanying plant, with long, branching tendrils, provides a naturalistic backdrop that situates the animal within its marine environment.

Technique & Style

Catesby employed a hybrid process: the initial image was etched and engraved to capture fine lines, then selectively colored by hand. The palette is restrained, using bright yet limited hues to highlight key features while preserving scientific accuracy.

History & Provenance

The print forms part of Mark Catesby’s extensive series documenting the flora and fauna of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands. Published between 1729 and 1747, the series comprised 220 plates, of which this crab illustration is one.

Context

Catesby’s work represents one of the earliest systematic visual records of North American wildlife for European audiences. By presenting detailed, colored images, he helped convey the diversity of New World species to scholars and naturalists of the eighteenth century.