Schwarzkehl-Taucher

John James Audubon

1827-1838

Schwarzkehl-Taucher by John James Audubon, 1827-1838

John James Audubon brings the Black-throated Diver to life with striking realism in this famous plate from his monumental 'The Birds of America.' Notice the dramatic pose of the bird on the left, standing awkwardly on land with its large, webbed feet splayed out—a clever trick Audubon used to show the bird's full anatomy, since these aquatic birds are actually quite clumsy on shore. Published between 1827 and 1838, this massive project was a race against time to document American birds before habitat destruction wiped them out. The vivid red eyes and intricate feather patterns make it a stunning example of natural history art.

Technique
Hand-colored engraving
Material
Paper
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