Wonderful Nodder engraving of Elanus, the Grey Falcon. c1815

by Nodder, Richard Polydore

Superb Grey Falcon antique print with contemporary hand-color, c1815.

Original well-defined copperplate engraving with contemporary hand-colour, for George Shaw and William Elford Leach's The Zoological Miscellany: being descriptions of new, or interesting animals... illustrated with coloured figures, drawn from nature by R.P. Nodder, published in London in 1815 by Elizabeth Nodder & Son.

George Shaw (1751-1813) qualified as a doctor in 1772, but changed careers in1786 to become assistant lecturer in Botany at Oxford University. Co-founding the Linnaean Society in 1788, Shaw was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1789. Assistant Keeper of the Zoological Department at the British Museum from 1791 and Keeper from 1807, Shaw gave lectures at the Royal Institution and wrote natural history publications.

Elizabeth Nodder assisted with publishing while her husband Frederick Polydore Nodder (1751-1801) was the principal artist for George Shaw. After F.P. Nodder's death their son, Richard Polydore Nodder (1774-1823) continued the illustrations while his mother assisted Shaw in compiling and publishing the enormous work. Both father and son had wonderful strong draughtsmanship and distinctive style of colour which created works of great character. Both F.P. Nodder and his son R.P. Nodder exhibited at the Royal Academy and were royal painters to King George III. R.P. Nodder was also botanic artist to Queen Charlotte, the King's consort.

Page size is 234 x 140mm (9.25 x 5.5 inches), with accompanying text. Close-cropped at top and base to fit publication (price reduced). It will look superb when framed.