Guaperva &c., The Old Wife. (1754)

This page presents "Guaperva &c., The Old Wife." (1754), created by Mark Catesby. Historical background, 1754: In Japan, ukiyo-e woodblock printing flourished in the Edo period and made colour prints a popular and affordable art form. The Enlightenment and the habit of the Grand Tour fed a wider interest in science, travel, antiquity, and natural history, and illustrators accompanied many expeditions. The catalogue places it in Plants & Animals. The format is landscape. Background on Plants & Animals: Naturalists and artists often worked together, especially on voyages and in published surveys of flora and fauna. Images of plants and animals are valued both for the care of their observation and for their decorative appeal.

"Guaperva &c., The Old Wife." is shown in the onlly.art catalogue for reference and browsing. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Flora and fauna subjects make an interior feel softer and more alive, adding a natural rhythm that works well in both traditional and contemporary spaces. Browsing works by the same artist, or from the same period, is a good way to compare styles before choosing what suits your space.

English, 1683–1749

If you like the visual language of Mark Catesby, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.