Frederick P. Nodder (Born in the 1700s) was an engraver and botanic painter. He appears to have been residing in Leicester Square, Panton Street, and was the son of a Nodder who exhibited some paintings on silk and pictorial subjects shaped in human hair at the exhibitions of the Society of Artists. P. Nodder grew up in an artistic environment and he knew that he was also destined to be an artist. He used to spend most of his free time doing artwork and his talent was noticed by many. He got encouragements from many people. In 1786 he first appeared as an exhibitor of drawings of flowers at the Royal Academy, and two years later he is styled ‘botanical painter to the Queen. He supplied the illustrations, colored, etched, and drawn by himself, to various botanical works, such as Martyn Thomas’ ‘Plates … to illustrate System of Vegetables by Linnæus, and Flora Rustica.
He also published a work entitled the Naturalist's Miscellany or ‘Vivarium Naturæ’, with similar engravings, the text of which was edited by Shaw George. From 1789 to 1813, this work entered more than 24 volumes. By art historians’ estimations, P. Nodder appears to have died about 1800, and this final publication was carried on by Elizabeth, his widow. The plates were supplied by Richard P. Nodder, most likely his son. His son afterwards obtained some repute as a painter of dogs and horses, and was an occasional exhibitor at the Royal Academy. P. Nodder’s art continue to inspire many artists to date.
