Western duck
1827-1838
John James Audubon’s 'Western Duck' (now scientifically known as Steller's Eider) bursts with life, showing a male strutting confidently along a riverbank while his partner peeks out from the reeds. This plate, number 429, comes from his legendary 'The Birds of America', a massive project where he attempted to paint every bird in North America at actual size. Notice the vibrant orange belly and the intricate blue wing feathers; Audubon insisted on capturing birds in dynamic poses, often shooting his subjects and wiring them into position to avoid the stiff, profile views common in earlier scientific illustrations. The hand-colored engraving by Robert Havell brings out the lush textures of the feathers and the grassy environment.
- Technique
- Hand-colored engraving
- Material
- Paper