McGill Library
McLennan Library Building3459 rue McTavish
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H3A 0C9
Caracal
Caracal caracal
Item
1 watercolour painting ; 56 x 39 cm + 1 leaf
Peter Paillou was born in London into a Huguenot family and was recognised in his own time as an eminent ‘bird painter’. In 1744 he began to paint for Taylor White and worked for him for almost thirty years, painting chiefly birds and mammals. He painted as well for Robert More, Joseph Banks, and for the Welsh naturalist Thomas Pennant. Many of his paintings of birds were used as the basis for book illustrations, often engraved by his colleague and fellow Huguenot, Peter Mazell. Paillou was elected to the Society of Artists and in 1763 he exhibited ‘A Piece of Birds, in Watercolours; the Hen of the Wood and Cock of the Red Game’. In 1778, to considerable approval, he also showed a picture of ‘A Horned Owl from Peru’, completely made from feathers.
Drawing of a Caracal from a 18th century specimen [modern geographical distribution: Africa and Asia.] Attributed to Peter Paillou.
Manuscript note on back of drawing: catus orientalis auribus pencillatis Shea goat dictus
Scientific name: Caracal caracal
With manuscript text on accompanying leaf.
Transcription of manuscript note on accompanying leaf: Mammalia Ferae Felis
Catus
Shea Goest
Felis Auribus penicillatis, externe
nigris interne albis.
colore flavescente. ore albo
cauda tenuissima femorae
longitudine aequalis.
habitat India Orientalis
The Shea goest.
Translation of manuscript note on accompanying leaf: Mammalia Ferae Felis
Catus
Shea Goest
Felis with tufted ears that are black
on the outside and white on the inside;
a golden-yellow colouring, white mouth,
and a very thin tail
that is as long as the thighs.
It lives in eastern India.
The Shea goest.