For your consideration are four original framed etchings of James Hope Stewart's (1789-1883) watercolor paintings, done by renowned Scottish artist and engraver, William Home Lizars (1788-1859) circa 18303-40s. Lizars, an Edinburgh native, showed early aptitude for artistic expression and engraving. His career peaked when John James Audubon asked him to work with him on the ground-breaking "The Birds of America." While Lizars' exceptional skill and attention to detail in engravings were never in question, a legal dispute forced him to leave the project. His lifelong dedication to the meticulous depiction of the natural world is reflected in this collection of whale engravings. These illustrations exhibit Lizars' love of both art and science, making them a rare treasure for collectors, mariners, and individuals interested in the 19th-century study of marine life. Scottish naturalist James Hope Stewart of Slodahill (1789–1833) is best known for his illustrations for Sir William Jardine's 40-volume collection The Naturalist's Library. Son of William Stewart of Hillhead, Stewart was born on August 2, 1789, at Hillside. The extensive collection of natural history illustrations Stewart created for Sir William Jardine's 40 volume, The Naturalist's Library, is what made him most famous. Between 1833 and 1843, this encyclopedia's 40 volumes were released. Each volume was typically devoted to a particular group, such as Hummingbirds, Cetaceans, British Fishes, and Moths. The topics covered included birds, mammals, fish, and insects. In 28 volumes of The Naturalist's Library, Stewart created and signed 545 watercolor drawings, including 213 mammal plates, 177 bird plates, 140 fish plates, and 15 insect plates. From Stewart's drawings, William Home Lizar engraved a number of the plates. The four engravings are all professionally framed in a gorgeous oak wood frame with blue colored double matting and gold colored edges around the engravings. The engravings are number Plate 4, Plate IV, Plate 10 and Plate 9, all showing marine time scenes with fishermen, whales and boats. All engravings are slightly colored whether it be the whale, the boats in the background or the fishermen. There are two Greenland whale and two Spermaceti whale plates. The frame features a Certificate of Authenticity on the back giving details on the artwork. The frame and original engravings show good condition overall with little to no wear and no obvious signs of damage. The visible artwork measures 3 3/4" L x 6" W, while the entire piece measures 22 1/4" L x 26 1/4" W x 1 1/2" D. The piece weighs approximately 9 pounds.*