MARK CATESBY - The Umbrella Tree

THE ARTWORK

"The Umbrella Tree" is one of the iconic illustrations from Mark Catesby's seminal work "The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands". This hand-coloured etching is Plate 80 from Volume 2.

This detailed etching depicts the Umbrella Magnolia (Magnolia tripetala). It is a deciduous magnolia native to the eastern United States, from southern Ohio south to central Florida and west to Louisiana. It is known for its large, white flowers, which can be up to 12 inches in diameter, and its large, umbrella-shaped leaves.

THE ARTIST

Mark Catesby (1682–1749) was an English naturalist and illustrator best known for his two-volume "The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands", considered one of the earliest published accounts of the flora and fauna of North America.

Catesby was born in England in 1682 and developed a keen interest in natural history from an early age. He was particularly fascinated by birds, which he began studying and illustrating. In 1712, Catesby traveled to the American colonies, spending several years in Virginia and Carolina, where he continued his studies of the local flora and fauna.

During his time in America, Catesby collected numerous plant and animal specimens, as well as making detailed observations of their behavior and habitats. He also made extensive sketches and watercolor illustrations of the wildlife he encountered, which would later form the basis of his famous publication.

After returning to England, Catesby began work on "The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands". The work was groundbreaking for its time, featuring detailed descriptions and illustrations of hundreds of species of plants, birds, animals, and insects native to the American colonies. Published in two volumes, the first appearing in 1731 and the second in 1743, the work was widely praised for its scientific accuracy and artistic quality and had a significant influence on subsequent studies of North American natural history.

THE PRINT

• A4 Size = 29.7cm x 21cm = 11.7" x 8.25"
• A3 Size = 42cm x 29.7cm = 16.5" x 11.7"
• High resolution giclée print - 600dpi
• Printed to order
• Unframed & unmounted
• Professionally printed using Canon imagePROGRAF printers
• Digitally restored by OharaPrints from high resolution scans of the original artwork
• Made in and shipped from Casterton, Victoria, Australia

PAPER

• Canson Infinity - Arches BFK Rives White
• Paper weight = 310gsm
• 100% cotton
• Archival, museum grade
• Acid free
• No OBAs (optical brightening agents)

Arches BFK Rives is a high-quality, archival-grade paper manufactured at the Arches paper mill in France - one of the oldest papermakers in Europe. It is made from 100% cotton rag using a time-honoured manufacturing process, giving the paper exceptional durability, longevity, and resistance to yellowing or deterioration over time. Despite its substantial weight and thickness it maintains a very soft and supple feel. The paper has a natural white tone and is completely free of any optical brighteners (OBAs), allowing for superb colour rendition and deep blacks.

INK

• Canon Lucia Pro Inks
• Pigment based
• Archival, museum-grade
• Brilliant colours, even gradient and razor-sharp lines
• Highly stable and fade resistant, excellent humidity-fastness

SHIPPING & HANDLING

• All orders are dispatched on the NEXT BUSINESS DAY after receiving the order
• All prints are shipped via AUSTRALIA POST with TRACKING
• For postage rates and estimated delivery times please see our SHIPPING page
• All prints are shipped flat, not rolled
• Each print is individually placed into a resealable, archival grade plastic protective sleeve
• Prints are carefully packaged in very sturdy 700gsm cardboard envelopes, along with 1050gsm boxboard sheets which provide extra strength & rigidity to prevent bending or folding during transit