Mallard duck
1827-1838
John James Audubon brings the wetlands to life in this stunning plate from his famous 'Birds of America' series, capturing a lively moment among the reeds. Notice the dynamic action: a female duck stretches her neck upward, snapping at a falling acorn, while a majestic male mallard on the right watches the snack drop with intense focus. To achieve these incredibly lifelike poses, Audubon actually shot the birds and used wires to arrange them in natural stances—a somewhat gruesome method that resulted in art far more vibrant than the stiff scientific diagrams of his time.
- Technique
- Hand-colored engraving
- Material
- Paper
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