The Taylor White Collection is comprised of 938 watercolour paintings of mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. White, a British jurist, commissioned various artists of the day (including Charles Collins, Peter Paillou, Jacob Van Huysum, George Edwards, and Eleazar Albin) to paint these animal portraits from live and dead specimens brought back to England from around the world. Many of the paintings are accompanied by loose-leaf manuscript notes, written mainly by White in Latin, providing further information about the animal; transcriptions and English translations of these notes have been provided within the record for each painting.
Drawing of a pair of European Bee Eaters from 18th century specimens [modern geographical distribution: Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Central Asia.] Attributed to Peter Paillou.
Paillou, Peter, approximately 1720-approximately 1790
Drawing of a trio of Green Bee-eaters from 18th century specimens [modern geographical distribution: West Africa, East Africa, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia.] Attributed to Peter Paillou.
Paillou, Peter, approximately 1720-approximately 1790
Drawing of a Greenshank from a 18th century specimen [modern geographical distribution: Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.] Attributed to Peter Paillou.
Paillou, Peter, approximately 1720-approximately 1790
Drawing of a Eurasian Curlew from a 18th century specimen [modern geographical distribution: Europe, Asia, and the coast of Africa. Attributed to Collins, Charles].