Bonaparte-Moskitojäger

John James Audubon

1827-1838

Bonaparte-Moskitojäger by John James Audubon, 1827-1838

John James Audubon captures a delicate moment here, perching a blue and yellow bird on a branch of the Magnolia grandiflora, right next to a striking, cone-like cluster of bright red seeds. He named this little flyer after Charles Lucien Bonaparte, Napoleon’s nephew and a fellow bird enthusiast. Audubon had a rather macabre method for his art: he would shoot birds and use wires to pose them in lifelike positions before drawing them. This print is part of his legendary 'Birds of America' series, famous for its massive 'double elephant' size sheets.

Technique
Hand-colored aquatint engraving
Material
Paper
Dimensions
39.5 x 29.5 inches
Views: 3

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