Who Was John James Audubon And What Inspired Him To Create Birds Of America

1. Who Was John James Audubon And What Inspired Him To Create Birds Of America? Artists have always been captivated by birds, but few have left as significant a mark on the art world as John James Audubon. Audubon, a self-taught ornithologist and artist, crafted The Birds of America, a remarkable collection of realistic illustrations. Despite being born in France, he set sail to America as a young 18-year-old and dedicated his life to his passion for birds. The result of his dedication was the creation of one of the most monumental books in history, The Birds of America. Who Was Audubon? John James Audubon, born in Haiti in 1785, developed a fascination with nature from an early age. His father's introduction to birds and flowers ignited his interest in natural history. At just 11 years old, he went out on his first journey as a cabin boy on a navy ship. At 18, Audubon journeyed to the USA to escape conscription in the Napoleonic Wars. Settling on his father's farm in Pennsylvania, he met and married Lucy Bakewell in 1808. Lucy educated and from a wealthy English family, taught Audubon English while he continued to pursue his passion for drawing birds, honing his skills through observation and hunting. Moving to Kentucky, Audubon tried his hand at various business ventures, but his heart remained with birds. Despite setbacks, including failed stores and other enterprises, Audubon persisted in his goal to create a comprehensive study of North American birds. This dedication led to his monumental work, The Birds of America, blending his artistic talent with his ornithological passion. What Made John James Audubon So Famous? Audubon's fame rested on his meticulous bird studies, which consumed him entirely. He embarked on extensive travels across the country for numerous years to fulfill his passion.

2. Living a nomadic life, Audubon roamed North America ceaselessly to gather bird specimens for his illustrations. In addition to his drawings, Audubon penned a series of narratives recounting his adventures exploring the American frontier. These anecdotes eventually coalesced into the book Ornithological Biography, or An Account of the Habits of the Birds of the United States of America (1831-1839). Presented as autobiographical, these tales allowed Audubon to craft a fictionalized persona as an archetypal American frontiersman, grappling with the challenges of wilderness survival. His narratives featured episodes such as hunting wolves and bears, enduring snowstorms, constructing makeshift shelters, and encountering escaped enslaved individuals. Audubon's writings conjure up the allure and danger of the wild. However, the veracity of his accounts has been a matter of contention, with some stories proven to be fabrications. For instance, Audubon purportedly discovered a new eagle species, the Bird of Washington (Falco Washington), yet no conclusive evidence supports the existence of such a creature. Understanding Audubon's "The Birds of America" Book What Was Audubon Doing Before He Started WIth The Book? In 1819, facing bankruptcy due to several failed business ventures, Audubon, found himself imprisoned for debts. To sustain himself, he resorted to sketching portraits for rural residents, albeit reluctantly, yet this endeavor allowed him to continue honing his artistic skills. Transitioning his focus, Audubon merged his passion for birds and art. He spent time at what is now The Museum of Natural History at the Cincinnati Museum Center, where he contributed by painting landscapes and engaging in taxidermy for the museum's displays.

3. As The Audubon Birds of America Book Started Coming Together Around 1820, when he was approximately 35 years old, Audubon made a bold declaration to depict every bird found in North America. Instead of using traditional oil paint favored by many artists of his time, he opted for watercolors, pastel crayons, and occasionally other mediums like pencil, charcoal, chalk, gouache, and pen and ink. As far back as 1807, he devised a method of using wires and threads to position deceased birds in lifelike poses for his drawings. To finance his ambitious project, Audubon offered drawing lessons and painted portraits for affluent clients. However, the primary breadwinner for the family became his wife, Lucy, who supported Audubon's pursuits, often enduring prolonged periods of his absence as he sought new avian specimens. Given the magnitude of the undertaking, the research and painting process spanned years. Audubon's skills improved significantly over time, necessitating revisiting and redrawing some earlier species to maintain consistency throughout his work. In 1823, Audubon sought financial backing in Philadelphia and New York to publish his artwork, but he struggled to find support. Consequently, in 1826, he traveled to the United Kingdom with 250 of his original illustrations, hoping to secure both financial backing from subscribers and the technical expertise of engravers and printers. After showcasing his drawings in Liverpool and Manchester, he proceeded to Edinburgh, where he met the skilled engraver William H. Lizars. Lizars began engraving some of the initial plates, but the project stalled when his colorists went on strike. In 1827, Audubon enlisted the renowned London animal engraver Robert Havell Jr., and his father, Robert Havell Sr., to take over the project, which finally concluded in 1838. Original edition of Audubon's "Birds of America” The original edition of Audubon's "Birds of America” book, sometimes referred to as the Havell Edition due to its printer, was printed on handmade paper measuring 39.5 inches tall by 28.5 inches wide. The primary printing technique involved copperplate etching, supplemented by engraving and aquatint, with watercolor applied by hand afterward.

4. Audubon financed the expensive printing endeavor through a subscription model, releasing prints in sets of five every month or two, packaged in tin cases. Typically, each set comprised one large bird, one medium-sized bird, and three small birds. By the project's completion in 1838, a total of 435 plates (87 sets of five) had been issued, with the plates being published unbound and textless. It's estimated that fewer than 200 complete sets were ever assembled. Visitors to the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove can explore a museum collection featuring Audubon's "Birds of America." A "Double Elephant Folio" is consistently on display, showcasing one bird each month, with page-turning taking place every four weeks on Thursdays. Additionally, framed images from the first edition "Double Elephant Folio" adorn the walls throughout the center. Learn More With The Help Of Arader Books At arader books, we have a passion for all things art, history, and books. And this also means we are equally passionate about educating people on the topics everyone loves. On our website, you will find multiple guides and articles that can help you understand the books of your choice better. Keep exploring and let us know what you would like to see more of.