Trottellumme
1827-1838
John James Audubon refused to paint boring, stiff birds; he wanted action! In this plate from his famous 'Birds of America', a Razor Bill swims calmly while its companion dramatically flips upside down, beak agape, likely diving for food. This dynamic pose was a hallmark of Audubon's style, achieved by posing freshly killed specimens with wires to mimic life. The text at the bottom identifies this as Plate CCXIV, engraved and hand-colored by Robert Havell, bringing these seabirds to life with incredible detail against a rugged, rocky backdrop.
- Technique
- Hand-colored engraving
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