The Taylor White Collection's 18th Century Watercolour Painting of The Dodo
Our Dodo fine art print comes from the original collection of Taylor White F.R.S. (1701-1772). In the mid-18th Century, White commissioned the celebrated wildlife painter, Charles Collins (c.1680 - 1744) to paint a number of specimens for his collection. The watercolour painting of the Dodo was one of these masterpieces, which emerged from the collaboration between White and Collins.
The original watercolour of the Dodo is extremely finely painted, with incredible detail, allowing you to see the Dodo's plumage and features in stunning clarity. This depth of colour and detail has been captured brilliantly through the digitalisation process and is replicated for you on this delightful fine art print, which is now available for your home or office décor, or to buy as a thoughtful gift for your friends and family.
Taylor White, a barrister by profession and landowner on the Nottinghamshire / Yorkshire border, was a keen naturalist and collector. He commissioned over 900 paintings of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish from the finest painters of his day. He was a governor and the founding Treasurer of The Foundling Hospital in London, as well as being a Fellow of The Royal Society. He was extremely well-connected in Society, which enabled him to create such a world-class collections of specimen and thus paintings. White's father in-law was Major-General John Armstrong, who as Surveyor-General of the Ordnance, Chief Royal Engineer and Quartermaster-General to the Forces, has his offices in The Tower of London. Consequently, Taylor White had access to the birds and beasts of The Royal Menagerie at the Tower. He also was able to borrow specimen from The British Museum. Some rarer and more exotic specimens were brought back from their great travels across the globe by his Royal Society friends, the naturalist Sir Joseph Banks, Bt. and the famous clockmaker, John Harrison.
Superb Fine Art Print on Museum-Quality Paper
We've meticulously replicated the original Dodo watercolour painting on 310gsm Hahnemühle German Etching art paper [HGE] or Enhanced Matte Art Paper [EMA] for the 6in x 8in print. These top-quality fine art papers are museum-quality with the HGE paper being acid and lignin-free, ensuring the best possible longevity and colour reproduction, whilst the EMA paper is a heavy-duty fine art paper. The Dodo's vibrant colours and intricate details come to life in this high-quality fine art print.
* Please note that the images of the Mauritius Dodo Fine Art Print on our website are for illustrative purposes only. The actual print uses high-resolution images to ensure a crisp, clear, and visually stunning final print.
The Mauritius Dodo
The Mauritius Dodo (Scientific name: Raphus cucullatus) once strutted its stuff on the sandy shores of the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. A close cousin of the pigeon, this quirky creature stood tall, with a height of about 1 meter!
In 1598, Dutch sailors first laid eyes on the Dodo, and their records painted a vivid picture of this unique, flightless bird. But, oh dear! Over the course of just 65 years, the mighty Dodo met its tragic demise. Unsuspecting of humans and unable to take to the skies, the Dodo was an easy target for sailors seeking a tasty meal. The bird's habitat was also destroyed, further sealing its fate.
Alas, the last known sighting of the iconic Dodo was in 1662. Hunted to extinction, this captivating creature has left an indelible mark on our language and culture, inspiring the popular saying, "As dead as a Dodo," to describe something that no longer exists.
So, the next time you hear someone mention the Dodo, remember the intriguing tale of this unforgettable bird, and let its story serve as a reminder to cherish and protect our planet's precious biodiversity!
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