John James AudubonJohn James AudubonArtist and Artist and

OrnithologistOrnithologistApril 26, 1785 – January April 26, 1785 – January

27, 1851 = (66) 27, 1851 = (66)

Short BioShort Bio John James Audubon was a John James Audubon was a

French-American French-American ornithologist, naturalist, and ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. painter.

He was notable for his He was notable for his expansive studies to expansive studies to document all types of document all types of American birds and for his American birds and for his detailed illustrations that detailed illustrations that depicted the birds in their depicted the birds in their natural habitats. natural habitats.

His work gave us an His work gave us an extensive visual library of the extensive visual library of the birds in America.birds in America.

The Birds of AmericaThe Birds of America

His major work, a color-plate His major work, a color-plate book entitled book entitled 

The Birds of AmericaThe Birds of America  

(1827–1839),(1827–1839),

is considered one of the finest is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever ornithological works ever completed. completed.

Audubon identified 25 new Audubon identified 25 new species never known before.species never known before.

Bob White attacked by Red –Bob White attacked by Red –Shouldered HawkShouldered Hawk

Virginian PartridgeVirginian Partridge (Northern Bobwhite)(Northern Bobwhite) under attack by a under attack by a

young Red-young Red-Shouldered Hawk.Shouldered Hawk.

Plate 76 from Birds of Plate 76 from Birds of America by John America by John James Audubon James Audubon

(Havell Edition). (Havell Edition).

Restored 2008 by Restored 2008 by RestoredPrints.com. RestoredPrints.com.

Detail Detail

Methods for studyMethods for study Audubon developed his own methods for drawing birds. Audubon developed his own methods for drawing birds.

First, he killed them using fine shot. He then used wires to prop them First, he killed them using fine shot. He then used wires to prop them into a natural position, unlike the common method of many into a natural position, unlike the common method of many ornithologists, who prepared and stuffed the specimens into a rigid ornithologists, who prepared and stuffed the specimens into a rigid pose.pose.

When working on a major specimen like an eagle, he would spend up When working on a major specimen like an eagle, he would spend up to four 15-hour days, preparing, studying, and drawing it. to four 15-hour days, preparing, studying, and drawing it. 

His paintings of birds are set true-to-life in their natural habitat. He His paintings of birds are set true-to-life in their natural habitat. He often portrayed them as if caught in motion, especially feeding or often portrayed them as if caught in motion, especially feeding or hunting. This was in stark contrast to the stiff representations of birds hunting. This was in stark contrast to the stiff representations of birds by his contemporaries, such as Alexander Wilson. by his contemporaries, such as Alexander Wilson.

Audubon based his paintings on his extensive field observations. Audubon based his paintings on his extensive field observations.

Methods for paintingMethods for painting He worked primarily with watercolor early on. He added colored chalk He worked primarily with watercolor early on. He added colored chalk

or pastel to add softness to feathers, especially those of owls and or pastel to add softness to feathers, especially those of owls and herons. He employed multiple layers of water coloring, and sometimes herons. He employed multiple layers of water coloring, and sometimes used gouache. used gouache.

All species were drawn life size which accounts for the contorted poses All species were drawn life size which accounts for the contorted poses of the larger birds as Audubon strove to fit them within the page size. of the larger birds as Audubon strove to fit them within the page size. Smaller species were usually placed on branches with berries, fruit, Smaller species were usually placed on branches with berries, fruit, and flowers. He used several birds in a drawing to present all views of and flowers. He used several birds in a drawing to present all views of anatomy and wings.anatomy and wings.

Larger birds were often placed in their ground habitat or perching on Larger birds were often placed in their ground habitat or perching on stumps. At times, as with woodpeckers, he combined several species stumps. At times, as with woodpeckers, he combined several species on one page to offer contrasting features. on one page to offer contrasting features.

He frequently depicted the birds' nests and eggs, and occasionally He frequently depicted the birds' nests and eggs, and occasionally natural predators, such as snakes. He usually illustrated male and natural predators, such as snakes. He usually illustrated male and female variations, and sometimes juveniles. In later drawings, female variations, and sometimes juveniles. In later drawings, Audubon used assistants to render the habitat for him. Audubon used assistants to render the habitat for him.

Going beyond faithful renderings of anatomy, Audubon employed Going beyond faithful renderings of anatomy, Audubon employed carefully constructed composition, drama, and slightly exaggerated carefully constructed composition, drama, and slightly exaggerated poses to achieve artistic as well as scientific effects. poses to achieve artistic as well as scientific effects.

Carolina Carolina ParakeetsParakeets, , 1833.1833.

Part of the Part of the permanent permanent collection collection at the New at the New York York Historical Historical Society.Society.

DetailDetail

Roseate SpoonbillRoseate Spoonbill 1835-38 1835-38

Trumpeter Swan, 1838.Trumpeter Swan, 1838.

Final WorkFinal Work

Audubon's final work, on mammals, was the 

“Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America” ,

prepared in collaboration with his good friend Rev John Bachman of Charleston, South Carolina, who supplied much of the scientific text.

His son, John Woodhouse Audubon, drew most of the plates.

The work was completed by Audubon's sons and son-in-law and was published posthumously. (Occurring or continuing after one's death )

American ElkAmerican Elk