
Book cover for Audubon’s Birds of America
Update March 6, 2015
If you are in New York City, do not miss Audubon’s Aviary: The Final Flight, an exhibition of Audubon’s splendid water colors organized by the New York Historical Society from March 6, 2015 to May 10, 2015.
More information on the museum’s website and an interesting article from the New York Times.
In 1820, John James Audubon (1785-1851) challenged himself to sketch and describe all North American avifauna, thus fully embracing his genuine, lifelong passion for birds. The result of a decade spent exploring the wild west was an impressive collection of 435 life-size plates of the various bird species encountered by the self-taught, Franco-American artist and naturalist. His genius has been to give a dynamic representation of living creatures rather than depicting them in a more static, lifeless posture, which was common usage at the time. Audubon’s original concept was rejected by many, and it is in England, not the United-States, that he found positive reception for his unconventional drawings which were eventually published in a book called Birds of America.
Ruffed Grouse, hand-colored engraving by John James Audubon in circa 1827-1838
Peregrine Falcons, hand-colored engraving by John James Audubon in circa 1827-1838
Gyrfalcon , Falco rusticolus, hand-colored engraving by John James Audubon in circa 1827-1838
His artwork continues to be considered a masterpiece as proven by the considerable auction prices Continue reading →