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George Edwards Figurative Prints

English, 1694-1773

Known today as the Father of British Ornithology, George Edwards was a draftsman and naturalist who popularized the art of bird and animal illustrations throughout the 18th century. His main collections of etchings, which were bound as the volumes A Natural History of Uncommon Birds and Gleaning of Natural History, together comprise more than 600 animals and were the first works to delineate many of the featured species.

Edwards cultivated an interest in natural history while traveling around Europe, becoming particularly enamored with birds. Upon his return to the United Kingdom, in 1733, Irish physicist Hans Sloane, an acquaintance of British naturalists/illustrators Eleazar Albin and Mark Catesby, offered Edwards a librarian position at the Royal College of Physicians. The job granted him access to a large collection of works on natural history, which he explored enthusiastically. 

With instruction from Catesby, Edwards learned etching and spent much of his time preparing plates and drawings for his books. While Edwards hand-colored his early editions, later works were colored in by other artists, like British artist Peter Paillou, allowing Edwards to focus on etching and writing.

George Edwards earned his reputation for both his illustrations and written descriptions of his subjects — widely acclaimed for their accuracy. Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus cited Edwards’s texts when developing his major work, Systema Naturæ. The Royal Society in London awarded Edwards the Copley Medal in 1750 for outstanding achievement in the field of science. Edwards retired in 1763 to Plaistow, England, and died in 1773.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of George Edwards engravings and wall decorations.

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Artist: George Edwards
Turtles - Lithograph by George Edwards - 19th Century
By George Edwards
Located in Roma, IT
Turtles is an original print realized by George Edwards in the 18th century. Color lithograph. Original Title: Die kleine Moraft Tchildgröte, Tab. LXXVII. Good conditions, except...
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19th Century Modern George Edwards Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

À Richmond (Angleterre) - Etching by George Edwards - 1864 ca.
By George Edwards
Located in Roma, IT
Etching on laid paper Signed in plate lower right: Edwards Published by Cadart Luquet, Éditeurs, 79 Rue Richelieu, Paris With the blindstamp of the Société des Aquafortistes, l...
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1860s Modern George Edwards Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

La Petite Venise (Provence) - Etching by Justin Gabriel - 1864 ca.
By George Edwards
Located in Roma, IT
Etching on laid paper Signed in plate lower left: Justin Gabriel Published by Cadart Luquet, Éditeurs, 79 Rue Richelieu, Paris With the blindstamp of the Société des Aquafortis...
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1860s Modern George Edwards Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

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George Edwards figurative prints for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic George Edwards figurative prints available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by George Edwards in lithograph and more. Not every interior allows for large George Edwards figurative prints, so small editions measuring 10 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Harry Bunce, David Shrigley, and Thomas Shotter Boys. George Edwards figurative prints prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $282 and tops out at $282, while the average work can sell for $282.