Artwork
The Small Bittern (Ardea virescens)
The Small Bittern (Ardea virescens) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Mark Catesby. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Small Bittern (Ardea virescens) is a print created by Mark Catesby, an English naturalist, using etching, engraving, and hand coloring on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a small heron perched on a branch, surrounded by foliage and a body of water, exemplifying Catesby's documentation of North American wildlife. The image showcases the bird's green and brown plumage, highlighting its natural habitat.
Technique & Style
The work is characterized by attention to detail and a focus on realism, typical of 18th-century natural history illustrations. The subtle use of color, with muted tones, evokes a sense of serenity.
History & Provenance
Catesby produced the print as part of his broader work, Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, published between 1729 and 1747, a pioneering illustrated account of regional biodiversity.
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.
