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 Northern Pike from a 18th century specimen [modern geographical distribution: Freshwaters of Europe, Asia, and North America.] Attributed to Peter Paillou.
Paillou, Peter, approximately 1720-approximately 1790
Drawing of an immature Atlantic Salmon from a 18th century specimen [modern geographical distribution: The North Atlantic, the Baltic Sea, and the North Sea.] Attributed to Peter Paillou.
Paillou, Peter, approximately 1720-approximately 1790
Drawing of a European Smelt from a 18th century specimen [modern geographical distribution: The North Atlantic, the Baltic Sea, and the North Sea.] Attributed to Peter Paillou.
Paillou, Peter, approximately 1720-approximately 1790