Harle bièvre
1827-1838
John James Audubon brings the 'Goosander' (now known as the Common Merganser) to life with striking precision in this plate from his legendary 'The Birds of America.' Notice the dramatic contrast between the male's emerald-green head and the female's rusty, spiky crest as she glides past a roaring waterfall. Audubon was famous for posing his subjects—often freshly killed and wired into position—to capture them in dynamic, naturalistic action rather than stiff profiles. This massive print was a groundbreaking achievement in natural history illustration, aiming to show every bird species in North America at life size.
- Technique
- Hand-colored engraving and aquatint
- Material
- Paper
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