Birds of America

John James Audubon 1785 –1851) A FrenchA French-American ornithologist, naturalist, painter.Americanornithologistnaturalistpainter About 1820 (around the age of 35), Audubon declared his intention to document and paint every bird in North America. He is well known for his detailed illustrations that depicted the birds in their natural habitats. His major work, a color-plate book entitled The Birds of North America (1827–1839), is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever completed.

Audobon spent much of his life traveling the continent observing the birds (and animals) in remarkable depth and detail.

Audubon drew birds from life whenever possible rather than from specimens alone. He did, indeed, shoot specimens that he wired and propped into life-like positions as models for his paintings. He would spend up to four 15-hour days, preparing, studying, and drawing it. [

He took note of the birds' food and habitat preferences meticulously. And, he watched them move, interact, and behave. He strove for action and reality.

Birds of America was printed on handmade paper 39.5 inches tall by 28.5 inches wide. It was created using oil paint.

Of the 119 copies of Birds of America known to survive, only eleven are held in private collections. [ [

Dec 8, 2010 – An original edition of Birds of America, the four-volume illustrated work by naturalist John Audobon sold for $11.5 million dollars, setting a new record for the sale of a printed book.

Audobon painted almost 500 species of the 700 or so regularly occurring North American species, worked tirelessly to promote his project, and set a new standard for artistry and printing. Perhaps above all else, Audubon was a lover and observer of birds and nature.