The Vanelloe (Epidendrum Vanilla)

Mark Catesby made this engraving of the Vanelloe, or Vanilla Orchid, using etching and watercolor. This was a technique that demanded close collaboration between the engraver and the colorist, each contributing to the final product. The etcher would use a sharp needle to create the composition on a metal plate, which was then dipped in acid to bite the lines into the metal. This plate would then be inked and printed, with the watercolorist adding color by hand. The lines of the image are economical, but the watercolor adds a botanical realism to the flower and its leaves. We can observe the texture of the paper, with the color delicately applied in layers to give a sense of depth and volume. Catesby was one of the first to document the flora and fauna of North America. As such, he worked at the intersection of science, art, and commerce. In order to understand the image fully, we need to remember that it belongs to all these histories simultaneously.