Rocky mountain plover
1827-1838
John James Audubon captures the rugged spirit of the American West with this Rocky Mountain Plover, caught mid-stride on a grassy hill. Unlike stiff scientific diagrams of the time, Audubon wanted his birds to look alive, often wiring dead specimens into dramatic poses to achieve these dynamic stances. This plate, number 350 from his massive 'The Birds of America' project, was hand-colored and engraved by Robert Havell in 1836. The bird, labeled as an adult female, peers intently at the ground, showcasing the artist's obsession with naturalistic detail.
- Technique
- Hand-colored engraving
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