Wood wren
1827-1838
John James Audubon captures the spirited Wood Wren in this vibrant plate from his legendary 'Birds of America' project. The little bird, with its tail cocked high in classic wren fashion, is nestled among a dramatic cluster of foliage, bright red berries, and a towering stalk of electric blue berries. Audubon was a bit of a mad scientist; he would shoot birds and pose them with wires to get these dynamic, lifelike angles, forever changing how we illustrate nature by showing animals in their actual habitats rather than as stiff specimens.
- Technique
- Hand-colored engraving
- Material
- Paper
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