It won’t be an exaggeration to say that Audubon’s Birds of America changed the world of ornithology forever. It can also be said that this book is surely Audubon’s magnum opus. Published in the early 19th century, it blended art and science like never before, perhaps never since. 

Audubon’s book is full of detailed illustrations that are a result of his extensive observations of native birds. The result is, we get a glimpse into the avian life of North America of the time. The book was a big hit back then and remains relevant even today. 

John James Audubon’s History

Audubon was born in the French colony of Haiti in the year 1785. He was a naturalist and a painter with a passion for birds. He is known to have loved birds from the time that he was a young change. 

Naturally, his father encouraged his interest and eventually sent him to the United States at the age of 18. Ther, he lived in an area that to him was verily paradise on earth. The surroundings were filled with nature and creatures that lived therein. 

Moreover, he found the perfect opportunity there to study birds, specifically American birds, to his heart's content. His aim at the time was to capture their image as realistically as possible rather than artistically. 

• On a trip back to France, he had the opportunity to improve his taxidermy skills. This will make eventually The Birds of America Book what it is. 
• Furthermore, he also learned the scientific methods of research which greatly improved his images. 

Read More Articles: Why is Q Florist the Go-To Flower Shop in NYC

Audubon’s Techniques

Audubon constantly learned new methods of painting and drawing, using various tools. He was always focused on improving his work and methods. Moreover, he also focused on field observation, in addition to taxidermy, so that he would stay true to the subject. 

His work made him travel throughout the wilds of America during which he faced many challenges. Besides the harsh weather and an earthquake, he also did all this while struggling financially. Fortunately, his wife understood his passion and continued to support his work while working as a teacher. 

Drawing life-sized illustrations of birds is not an easy task. To do so accurately, one needs to be precise and pay attention to the littlest details. Audubon made use of different media such as watercolor, pastel, and even gouache. 

Audubon’s Birds of America is the result of his meticulous rendering of each bird. His observation of them in their habitats allowed him to showcase them in their truest self. 

The Birds of America Book

Audubon’s book is a rare masterpiece from the past. It is the result of Audubon’s passion and dedication to his art. 

• The Birds of America has a total of 435 hand-colored plates. 
• Each plate measures approximately 39 by 26 inches. This large size is often referred to as Elephant Folio. 
• In these plates, you’ll find over 700 North American bird species. What makes them special is that Audubon discovered and described many of these for the first. 
• Moreover, some of these birds have now become extinct, making these pictures ever more valuable. 

The artistry and accuracy of the bird make this book even more special. 

Science and Ornithology

A largely unknown fact is the contribution of The Birds of America Book to science and ornithology rather than just art. His keen observation and detailed descriptions brought a wealth of knowledge to the scientific community. 

Moreover, Audubon meticulously documented their behavior, diet, and their habitat too. As a result, we get insight into the birds and their way of living that were previously unknown. 

•  An example of this is Audubon’s illustration of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. 
• His illustration brought quite an unknown species to the forefront. 
• Many also vied his work as highlighting the importance of preserving natural habitats. 
• He also focused on how human activity can impact bird populations. 

Publishing Birds of America 

As you can probably guess, publishing a book such as The Birds of America is no easy task. With the technical difficulties, Audubon also had to deal with financial difficulties. 

• Audubon traveled to Europe to look for subscribers and patrons for his work. 
• He found the support he needed. Some of his subscribers were Charles X of France, Queen Adelaide of Britain, etc. 
• With that, he published them in installments where the subscriber would get five copper plates. 
• He eventually decided to compile his work into a single book. 
• He got the engravings done in London and Edinburgh finally finishing it in the year 1838. 
• Multiple skilled artists hand-colored the plates with beautiful colors and of course - attention to every detail. 

The book was an immediate hit and grabbed the attention of ornithologists as well as the general public. On the other side, it also focused the minds of many on conservation efforts. The legacy of this amazing book can be felt even today. 

Read More Articles: The Ultimate Guide to Flower Carts in New York: Forget Me Knots Insights

Conclusion

Audubon’s Birds of America is a rare gem from the past that blends science with art. In the book, Audubon successfully captures the beauty and most importantly diversity of the natural world. 

To explore this and other precious books from the past, check out Arader Books. The preservation of these old treasures is in our hands. 

FAQs

What’s special about Adubon’s Birds of America?

Audubon’s Birds of America is a special book for more than one reason. It has hand-drawn pictures of ancient birds. Moreover, his book helped people of the time learn about new birds, yet unknown. Besides this, it is also considered special for its life-sized illustrations using a double elephant folio. 

What are some special birds from The Birds of America Book?

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Carolina Parakeet, and passenger pigeon are considered some of the most special. He also included illustrations of other birds that are endangered or facing extinction. 

Can I get original copies of Birds of America?

Original copies are rare and hard to come by. They are sold for millions of dollars at auctions. You can get digital versions or Royal Octavo editions from places like Arader Books.