Red-necked grebe
1827-1838
John James Audubon brings these Red-necked Grebes to life with dramatic flair, showing a male in vibrant spring plumage screaming at a paler winter-plumage companion. To get such dynamic poses, Audubon actually wired freshly killed birds into position—a somewhat morbid but effective technique for the 19th century. This specific plate, number 298 from his massive 'Birds of America' project, perfectly captures his obsession with mixing scientific accuracy with theatrical storytelling.
- Technique
- Hand-colored engraving
- Material
- Paper
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