Books from the past capturing the wildlife, and other aspects of the time are treasures in today’s world. Of these, The Birds of America book by John James Audubon definitely has a special place.
It’s not only extraordinary in the artistic sense but is also a scientific achievement. It has been a big hit among bird lovers, art collections, and natural history buffs for close to two centuries.
The book, originally in installments, came out between the years 1827 to 1839. It has since left a profound mark in ornithology and American art. With very few original copies remaining today, it’s considered a masterpiece.
Audubon’s Dream: The Birth of Birds of America
John James Audubon had an immense interest in art and he had the dedication to accomplish amazing things as well.
He was born in Haiti and raised in France, where he was allowed to develop his art. In the year 1803, he emigrated to the United States where he could further cultivate his interest in the natural world.
A particular interest of his is birds and other wildlife. This is also what fed his ambitious journey to document the native bird species of North America. He was not content with just observing and describing them. Rather, he wanted to capture their essence in the best way possible.
This means life-sized drawings and illustrations with vivid, but accurate, colors.
- He would calmly observe the birds in nature, in their natural habitat, and focus on their movements and little habits. Thus enabling him to accurately capture them in Audubon’s Birds of America.
What makes his book special is not only the gorgeous colors but also the accuracy. Many claim that his book changed the way avian experts learned and drew about birds.
The Art and Science in Audubon’s Work
As you can guess from the above, Audubon’s methods were revolutionary at the time. He has changed avian learning and scientific methods of bird observation. His art was often a result of keen scientific observation of birds.
Add to this his exceptional artistic skills, we end up with amazing illustrations that are not only beautiful but also scientifically accurate. This accuracy in his rendition made his work popular among ornithologists at the time just as it was popular with the masses.
Besides capturing the birds accurately, he also showed them in their natural habitat. The background and the plants represent the true habitat of the birds. This mix of art and science was rare back then as it is now and is truly what sets apart Audubon’s Birds of America from other similar works.
Life-Sized
Besides the above, remember that the book is on its scale! That means, each bird is rendered life-size. To do this, Audubon used large folio volumes and papers.
- These pages were often referred to as ‘Double Elephant Folio.’
The dimensions of the pages were approximately 39 by 26 inches. These large volumes meant Audubon could draw large birds such as the American White Pelican in all its glorious details and true to size.
Such a book is much easier to print today. Yet, we must contend with the fact that it’s rare even today. So you can imagine how special it was back in its time.
Hand-Colored Engravings
The original editions of The Birds of America book have hand-colored engravings throughout. Audubon worked with some of the finest engravers of his time in London and Edinburgh such as Robert Havell Jr.
With them, he produced these exquisite gorgeous prints that we adore even today. Undoubtedly, the work was labor-intensive and each illustration took weeks at the minimum, to complete. Moreover, the use of hand coloring added depth and vibrancy to the images, like never before.
- They simply seemed alive on these pages.
Scientifically Rigorous Work
As you might know by now, Audubon’s book became a bit hit in the scientific world as well. It was not only artistic but also scientifically rigorous. He spent years in the field, in nature, observing the birds, their little movements, and behaviors in their natural habitat.
He took detailed notes and made many preliminary sketches. He included information about their behavior, diet, and breeding patterns in his observations.
- Audubon used taxidermy mounts that he cleverly manipulated with wires and strings and recreate the poses he observed in nature.
As a result, the resulting images were strikingly accurate to how they behave in nature. His observations also gave his work a solid foundation in science – making them as accurate as they are artistic.
Publication and Reception of his Work
Publishing Audubon’s Birds of America was neither straightforward nor as easy as publishing books today.
- Originally, he sold his copper engravings on a subscription basis in North America and parts of Europe.
- He would send 5 copper plates at a time to each subscriber.
- Eventually, he decided to compile the entirety of his work into a single book.
- His subscriptions funded this undertaking as printing was quite expensive. The book was completed in 1838.
- It has 435 prints and includes many birds that are now extinct.
As you can imagine, the reception to his work was grand indeed. Lord Spencer, Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, and King Charles X of France were all subscribers of his work.
Conclusion
Audubon’s Birds of America is a revolutionary book that connected art and avian science. It was a big hit with art lovers and ornithologists alike. Today, it is something that lets us experience forgotten history such as long-extinct birds.
Get in touch with Arader Books for a beautiful look into the past long forgotten.
FAQs
What’s special about Audubon’s Birds of America?
The sheer size of the book, life-sized depictions, and accuracy make it special. Besides this, it also includes birds that are now extinct.
Where can I find Audubon’s Birds of America Book?
The original volume is not difficult to come by. You can get well-preserved Royal Octavo editions from places like Arader Books.
