Flying bats, drawn from life by English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 - 1773), in coloured engraving. Edwards signed the engraving and added the date 1749, the year in which he created the image. Edwards 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".
Hand-coloured engraving, dated 1749, by the English naturalist and ornithologist George Edwards (1694-1773). It depicts three flying bats, drawn from life. Edwards signed the engraving and added the date 1749, the year in which he created the image. Bats are any member of the only group of mammals capable of flight. This ability, coupled with the ability to navigate at night by using a system of acoustic orientation, has made them a highly diverse and populous order. 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: 7701px × 9900px
Location: Against white background
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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