The Cutwater (Rhynchops nigra) Possibly 1731 - 1743

Mark Catesby made this watercolor of a black skimmer, or cutwater, during his explorations of colonial-era North America. Catesby was one of the first naturalists to document the flora and fauna of the New World. As we look at this image, we might consider the historical context in which Catesby created it. Catesby's journey was underwritten by the English Royal Society, an institution invested in the colonial project. His work contributed to a growing understanding of the natural resources available in the Americas, often at the expense of the Indigenous populations already living there. The cutwater, with its striking coloration, is a study in contrasts, which in a different light might remind us of the racial hierarchies structuring Catesby's world. Yet, at the same time, the painting reminds us to look closely at the natural world, to appreciate its beauty, and to consider the ways in which it is always changing.