Home > Animals > Mammals > Castoridae > American Beaver
North American beaver, Castor canadensis
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
North American beaver, Castor canadensis
North American beaver, Castor canadensis, and rakali or water-rat, Hydromys chrysogaster.. Handcolored copperplate stipple engraving from Frederic Cuviers Dictionary of Natural Science: Mammals, Paris, France, 1816. Illustration by J. G. Pretre, engraved by Massard, directed by Pierre Jean-Francois Turpin, and published by F.G. Levrault. Jean Gabriel Pretre (1780-1845) was painter of natural history at Empress Josephines zoo and later became artist to the Museum of Natural History
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14214990
© Florilegius / Mary Evans
Beaver Canadensis Castor Cuvier Dictionary Frederic Gabriel Pretre Stipple
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Animals
> Mammals
> Castoridae
> American Beaver
> Animals
> Mammals
> Cervidae
> Canadensis
> Arts
> Artists
> Related Images
> Europe
> France
> Paris
> Related Images
EDITORS COMMENTS
This stunning handcolored copperplate stipple engraving, titled "Castor canadensis, North American Beaver, and Hydromys chrysogaster, Rakali or Water-rat," is an exquisite illustration from Frederic Cuvier's Dictionary of Natural Science: Mammals, published in Paris, France, in 1816. The illustration was created by the skilled painter of natural history, Jean Gabriel Pretre (1780-1845), and expertly engraved by Massard, under the direction of Pierre Jean-Francois Turpin. The image features two distinct species of aquatic mammals native to North America. At the center, the North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) is depicted in its natural habitat, constructing a dam using large logs and branches. Known for its distinctive flat, paddle-like tail, this semi-aquatic rodent is a master engineer, building dams to create ponds for food storage and shelter. To the right, the Rakali or Water-rat (Hydromys chrysogaster) is shown swimming in the water. This agile and adaptable species is a skilled swimmer and diver, using its long, webbed hind feet to navigate the aquatic environment. The intricate details and vibrant colors of this engraving showcase the exceptional artistry of Pretre and the masterful engraving techniques of Massard. As an artist to the Museum of Natural History and a painter of natural history at Empress Josephine's zoo, Pretre was dedicated to accurately capturing the beauty and diversity of the natural world. This image is a testament to the artistic and scientific achievements of the early 19th century, offering a glimpse into the natural history of North America over 200 years ago.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
