The Sole (Pleuronectes lunatus) Possibly 1731 - 1743

"The Sole (Pleuronectes lunatus)" is a hand-colored engraving by English naturalist Mark Catesby, created sometime between 1731 and 1743. The artwork is part of Catesby's comprehensive study of North American flora and fauna, "The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands". Catesby's meticulous attention to detail and accurate depictions of his subjects made his work influential for both scientific and artistic communities, contributing to the development of natural history illustration. The artwork depicts a sole fish with its distinctive flat body and large, expressive eyes. The fine details and lifelike quality of the illustration demonstrate Catesby's skill as a naturalist and artist.