Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9965
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‘The man of the woods’ [Orangutan]
Date
1757
Creator
George Edwards (1694 - 1773, British) , Ornithologist
Object type
Library reference
38029
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 286mm
width (print): 220mm
width (print): 220mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Zoological study of the Orangutan, posed seated on a wooden bench and holding a staff. With a profile detail of the great ape’s head.
Plate 213 from chapter 3 of Gleanings of natural history, exhibiting figures of quadrupeds, birds, insects, plants, &c..., by George Edwards, volume 1 (London, for the author, 1758). Described by Edwards in his accompanying text: “This animal, which is one of the first of the genus of Monkies, is supposed to come the nearest in its outward shape to man...The subject from which this figure was drawn is now preserved in the British Museum, in London: it was a young one, and about two feet and a half in height when it died: it was first soaked in spirits of wine, then dried, and set up in the action I have given it...”
The plate is inscribed: “Synonymus Names. The Satter, Savage, Wild-man, Pigmy, Orang-autang, Chimp-anzee &c. Geo.Edwards Delin: et Sculp: AD 1757”
Plate 213 from chapter 3 of Gleanings of natural history, exhibiting figures of quadrupeds, birds, insects, plants, &c..., by George Edwards, volume 1 (London, for the author, 1758). Described by Edwards in his accompanying text: “This animal, which is one of the first of the genus of Monkies, is supposed to come the nearest in its outward shape to man...The subject from which this figure was drawn is now preserved in the British Museum, in London: it was a young one, and about two feet and a half in height when it died: it was first soaked in spirits of wine, then dried, and set up in the action I have given it...”
The plate is inscribed: “Synonymus Names. The Satter, Savage, Wild-man, Pigmy, Orang-autang, Chimp-anzee &c. Geo.Edwards Delin: et Sculp: AD 1757”
Associated place
