Audubon's flamingo is a stunning image. Its vibrant deep pink is set against the faint blue of a bright, hazy sky and the completely still water reflecting it. Audubon encountered the birds in Florida in 1832 and, while thoroughly excited by the sight of them, was annoyed by their shyness that often prevented him from approaching closely. The ornithological detail sketches of bill, mandible, tongue and feet are of particular interest and are indexed at the bottom margin of the plate.
The 435 paintings in Audubon's Birds of America constitute the most important achievement of ornithological art.
Audubon combined artistic and scientific talent to produce images that are as beautiful as they are important for their recording of carefully observed ornithological detail. His unprecedented use of richly rendered natural environmental detail created striking contexts for his gracefully composed birds — all of which are presented in actual life size. Each image has the feel of a snapshot that captures a living moment.
Audubon's passion for ornithological discovery and observation led him to explore large swaths of 1820s and 1830s America, especially throughout the South and the Ohio River valley. In 1826 he brought his enormous folio of large-scale paintings to London where, from 1827 — 1838, they were engraved by Robert Havell & Son and hand-colored in an edition of approximately 200. King George IV of England, King Charles I of France, Daniel Webster and many important museums and institutions of higher learning were among the subscribers to this original publication.
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