Young elephant, drawn from life by English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 - 1773). Detail of coloured engraving created in 1752. Edwards’ caption beneath the elephant states: “The Teeth are added to compleat the Figure” – presumably referring to the animal's tusks.
Detail from hand-coloured engraving, created in 1752 by the English naturalist and ornithologist George Edwards (1694-1773). The full engraving depicts a young elephant and a female rhinoceros, drawn from life in London; this cropped detail is of the upper animal on the original page, the elephant. Of particular charm is Edwards’ caption beneath the elephant, where he states: “The Teeth are added to compleat the Figure” – presumably meaning the animal's tusks. George Edwards, known as the 'father of British ornithology', began studying natural history after an unsuccessful career as a businessman 'applying himself to drawing and colouring such animals as fell under his notice'. His work drew many admirers, but his chief patron was Sir Hans Sloane, founder of the British Museum, who employed Edwards as a natural history painter. In 1733, on Sloane's recommendation, Edwards was appointed librarian to the Royal College of Physicians in London. Edwards' famous 'A Natural History of Birds' (1743-1751) and 'Gleanings of Natural History' (1758-1764) vividly show animals, birds and insects from around the world. He produced his own plates for publication, which he then coloured personally or supervised others at the work, in order to preserve colour accuracy: 'I do not purpose to part with any of the Prints uncolour'd while I live, lest they should afterwards be colour'd by unskilful People.'
Size: 7492px × 5352px
Location: Against plain background
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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