Blue yellow back warbler
1827-1838
John James Audubon was obsessed with showing birds in action, not just as stiff specimens in a museum. For this plate from his massive 'Birds of America' project, he depicted the Blue-yellow-back Warbler (now called the Northern Parula) clinging dynamically to a Louisiana Iris. To get these lifelike poses, Audubon would often shoot birds, then use wires and props to arrange them in natural-looking scenes before sketching. The original prints were so huge they were nicknamed 'Double Elephant Folios' because the paper was larger than an elephant!
- Technique
- Hand-colored engraving
- Material
- Paper
- Dimensions
- 39 x 26 inches (99 x 66 cm)
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