Crested grebe
1827-1838
Audubon wasn't just painting birds; he was telling their story. Here, two Great Crested Grebes are caught in a moment of communication—one throwing its head back to call out, beak wide open, while the other glides silently by with sleek, dark plumage. You can see the intricate detail in the feathers, from the rusty red neck to the sleek black back. In the top right corner, Audubon included a scientific diagram of their unique lobed feet, proving he was as much a scientist as an artist. This plate comes from his massive 'Birds of America' project, where he traveled the wilds of America to paint every bird he could find, often in life-size scale.
- Technique
- Hand-colored aquatint and engraving
- Material
- Paper
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