John James Audubon

John James Audubon (1785-1851) was both an avid animal lover and a gifted artist. His work offers a glimpse into the incredible birds and animals found throughout North America . His masterpieces, The Birds of America, The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America, and a selection of lithographs from prominent museums, all convey the wonder and beauty of the natural world.

John James Audubon Biography

• He was born on April 26, 1785 in French Santo Domingo (now Haiti).
• He had a deep interest in birds and nature from an early age, and after moving to the United States, he began to seriously study and observe birds.
• In the 1820s, he traveled throughout North America, devoting himself to observing and sketching wildlife.
• Between 1827 and 1838, he published his masterpiece, The Birds of America.
• Between 1845 and 1848 he published The Viviparous Tetrapods of North America.
• He died in New York on January 27, 1851 (aged 65).

Representative works

• The Birds of America (1827-1838)
• The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America (1845-1848)

Audubon's painting style and achievements

Audubon's works are characterized by his life-size, dynamic depictions of animals in their natural habitats . He not only accurately captured the morphology and ecology of birds and mammals, but also expressed their beauty and individuality in every possible way.

His masterpiece, The Birds of America, is a collection of 435 hand-colored lithographs that contains almost all of the birds of North America, while The Viviparous Tetrapods of North America is an equally detailed and powerful illustration of the mammals of the Americas.

Audubon is regarded not only as an ornithologist and naturalist, but also as a great artist. His works, in addition to their contributions to natural science, have promoted the importance of nature conservation and inspired many people to develop an interest in and love for nature.