Brown pelican, Pelecanus fuscus
1827-1838
John James Audubon was obsessed with painting birds life-size, which meant he needed really, really big paper—specifically 'double elephant folio' size! In this striking plate from his masterpiece 'The Birds of America,' a Brown Pelican perches on a mangrove branch, its massive bill looking ready for a dive. Audubon famously wired up dead specimens to create these dynamic, lifelike poses, blending scientific observation with dramatic artistic flair. It’s a beautiful example of 19th-century realism that feels almost like a photograph before photography was even invented.
- Technique
- Hand-colored engraving and aquatint
- Material
- Paper
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